ERG Supports Coral Reef Conservation Through Community Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions

ERG recently conducted the  Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Coral Reef Socioeconomic Survey, which gathered knowledge and perceptions of coral reefs and coral reef management from residents of the CNMI on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

The survey is a key component of NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, which collects biological, weather, and socioeconomic data in each of the U.S. coral reef areas (Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI). The Community Survey collects data across six socioeconomic indicators and is conducted in each of the U.S. coral reef jurisdictions every five to seven years. The results of the survey help NOAA and local governments improve programs designed to protect coral reefs at local, regional, and national levels, as well as inform continuing research and communication products. 

 “One of the most satisfying parts of this project has been bringing together our multidisciplinary team of social scientists, statisticians, field coordinators, and geospatial professionals, along with our local partners and experts from NOAA, to adjust our data collection methods to meet NOAA’s methodological standards while considering the on-the-ground challenges. In this case, those challenges included natural disasters, access to gated communities, and minor safety concerns,” said ERG Vice President and Senior Economist Charles Goodhue. “Working across disciplines within ERG to find solutions for our client is one of ERG’s biggest strengths, and it paid off during this project.” 

ERG designed and implemented a sampling process that ensured a representative, random sample of CNMI residents. We worked with local partners to hire CNMI-based surveyors from each island and worked with them to develop a field protocol and schedule that was culturally appropriate. We used ArcGIS Field Maps to document attributes of every household that was visited and Survey123 to seamlessly record survey responses and allow for efficient data processing. ERG provided on-the-ground training and support throughout the data collection period. Our team processed and weighted the final data set and documented our methods in a final report. ERG surpassed the goal of 500 complete surveys by achieving more than 700 complete surveys, reducing the margin of error in the results. 

ERG previously supported the implementation of the Socioeconomic Survey in Hawaii (2020), Puerto Rico (2022), and Guam (2023). ERG is currently developing the implementation plan for the 2024 U.S. Virgin Islands Community Survey and will conduct the survey next spring.