Socioeconomic Monitoring in Guam: Summary Findings and Trends, 2023

By: Mary Allen, Ph.D, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Socioeconomics Coordinator

Takeaway: This report presents primary data collected for the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program's second socioeconomic monitoring cycle in Guam, conducted in person with household residents from January to April 2023. It also presents trends between this monitoring cycle and the first (conducted in 2016), as well as summary infographics.

The socioeconomic component of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) gathers and monitors a collection of socioeconomic data in seven U.S. coral jurisdictions. The team continued its second monitoring cycle of data collection in Guam in 2023, and recently released their report of summary findings along with two new infographics. The report summarizes current socioeconomic and cultural information relevant to coral reef resources in Guam, as well as trends between the first (2016) and second monitoring cycles (2023). The report is accompanied by an infographic on the 2023 findings and a second infographic on trends. Results are representative of the resident population of Guam as a whole, and are also subdivided to represent the northern and southern regions. See the full report for more.

Guam residents feel connected to coral reefs

Household surveys conducted in January to April of 2023 revealed that Guam residents were familiar with a variety of threats to coral reefs and generally supported a range of potential management strategies, such as increasing community participation in natural resource management and implementing new requirements for improved wastewater treatment. Residents also supported the creation of new marine protected areas and generally believed they have led to a range of improved benefits for coral reefs and coastal communities. There was a general consensus that Guam’s coral reefs are important to coastal protection, food, fisheries, human health, and culture. Residents were generally split on their perceptions of current conditions for ocean water quality, fish, live coral, and turtles, but over 35% believed the condition of each of these resources will worsen over the next ten years. Additionally, most resident households consumed seafood in some of their meals, and over half of those residents ate seafood from local coral reefs throughout the year. Surveys also showed that swimming/wading and beach recreation were primary activities for Guam residents in both 2016 and 2023, but frequency of participation in all activities declined in 2023.

Overall, the results indicate that Guam residents have important human connections to coral reefs and rely on these ecosystems for a variety of cultural and socioeconomic benefits. Residents also want to see efforts to mitigate threats (e.g., pollution) to coral reefs and prevent resource conditions (e.g., ocean water quality, amount of live coral) from becoming worse. Targeted outreach, particularly about ocean acidification, climate change, and coral bleaching, could help increase awareness of threats to coral reefs, how those threats how those threats are linked to sustained benefits and quality of life, and what people can do to help conserve coral reefs.

Report citation:

M.E. Allen, C.S. Fleming, A. Alva, S.B. Gonyo, and E.K. Towle. 2024. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Socioeconomic Monitoring Component: Summary Findings for Guam, 2023. U.S. Dep. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo., NOAA-TM-NOS-CRCP-51, 44p. + Appendices. https://doi.org/10.25923/819v-4s49

Infographics:

Results of the 2023 NCRMP socioeconomic monitoring survey of Guam residents are shown here in this infographic. Using a stratified random sampling methodology, the survey targeted individuals aged 18 and older in Guam (further stratified by northern and southern regions). Surveys were conducted in person, and were offered in English and CHamoru. A total of 653 surveys were completed with a response rate of 20%. All results are representative of the Guam population and strata.

• 2023 Guam Infographic - English
• 2023 Guam Infographic - CHamoru

Trends in NCRMP socioeconomic data from Guam's first (2016) and second (2023) monitoring cycles are highlighted in this infographic. The trends shown are based on surveys of household residents in Guam. The infographic shows how there have been some changes in residents' participation in coral reef activities, perceptions of resource conditions, importance of coral reefs, familiarity with threats, and support for management.

• 2016 to 2023 Guam Trends Infographic - English
• 2016 to 2023 Guam Trends Infographic - CHamoru

Related News

• National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Understanding Socioeconomic Connections
• National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Socioeconomic Monitoring Component: Summary Findings for Guam, 2016
• National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Data Visualization Tool
• Global SocMon: The Critical Role of Socioeconomic Data in Coral Reef Monitoring