noaa.gov

National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
Puerto Rico: 2022 Socioeconomic Survey

Our thoughts are with the people of Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Fiona. At this time, surveying in western Puerto Rico is canceled.

The second cycle of the Puerto Rico socioeconomic survey is scheduled to take place from January 28th through November 2022. Preliminary count of completed surveys as of Monday, October 31: 979

Description:

In 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducted the first-ever National Coral Reef Monitoring Program resident survey in Puerto Rico. The national survey collects information on resident use of coral reefs, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of coral reefs and management. The survey has helped NOAA and the Puerto Rican Government improve programs designed to protect coral reefs at local, regional, and national levels, as well as inform continuing research and communication products.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Puerto RicoCastillo San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico (credit: open access)

Project Status:

The second cycle of the Puerto Rico socioeconomic survey is scheduled to take place from January 28th through mid summer. Forty-five Puerto Rican municipalities were randomly selected for surveying and residents within these areas will be randomly selected and invited to participate in the survey. The survey will be offered in both English and Spanish and will be administered by students from Albizu University (a neutral third party) following surveyor training protocols.

Municipalities randomly selected to participate:

  • Aguada
  • Aguas Buenas
  • Añasco
  • Arecibo
  • Arroyo
  • Bayamón
  • Cabo Rojo
  • Caguas
  • Canóvanas
  • Carolina
  • Cayey
  • Coamo
  • Corozal
  • Culebra
  • Fajardo
  • Guánica
  • Guayama
  • Guayanilla
  • Guaynabo
  • Hormigueros
  • Humacao
  • Isabela
  • Juana Díaz
  • Lares
  • Las Piedras
  • Manatí
  • Maunabo
  • Mayagüez
  • Morovis
  • Patillas
  • Ponce
  • Río Grande
  • Sabana Grande
  • Salinas
  • San Juan
  • San Lorenzo
  • Santa Isabel
  • Toa Alta
  • Toa Baja
  • Trujillo Alto
  • Utuado
  • Vega Baja
  • Vieques
  • Yabucoa
  • Yauco
Map of municipalities randomly selected to participate in the NCRMP socioeconomic survey.Map of municipalities randomly selected to participate in the NCRMP socioeconomic survey.

General Timeline:

  • March - September 2020: Partner engagement (sampling design and survey development)
  • January - June 2021: Office of Management and Budget survey review and approval 1 [1]
  • April - August 2021: Hiring of subcontractor
  • June 2021: Partner re-engagement (survey confirmation)
  • July - August 2021: Office of Management and Budget survey review and approval 2 [1]
  • Fall 2021: Survey translation into Spanish
  • October 2021 - January 2022: Surveyor recruitment and training
  • January - November 2022: Data collection
  • Summer - Fall 2022: Data quality assurance and control
  • Fall 2022 - Spring 2023: Data analyses, report writing
  • Summer 2023: Report of findings; final report and infographics posted; data archived

Acknowledgements:

For more information, contact:

Mary.Allen@noaa.gov, NCRMP Socioeconomic Lead

Chloe.Fleming@noaa.gov, NCRMP Socioeconomic Deputy Lead

Aurora.Justiniano-Santos@noaa.gov, Coral Program Management Liaison to Puerto Rico


 


[1]The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires federal agencies to obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget each time they collect or sponsor the collection of information. Surveys must go through a rigorous review process that may include multiple reviews and require many months to be approved.