Members of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) gathered in Saipan to exchange updates, research, and innovative strategies for coral reef conservation and management. During the USCRTF Business Meeting on November 14, attended by Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor Arnold Palacios made history by signing an executive order recognizing coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure. This groundbreaking move paves the way for their integration into the CNMI’s disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation plans.
