Marine obstruction points around Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Buoys around Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Anchorage locations, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Ship wrecks and obstructions in the ocean have long been a hazard to navigation and construction, and a point of interest to archeologist, recreational divers, fisherman, educators and explorers. Locating hazardous wrecks and obstructions is part of the ongoing NOAA charting process. The exact position of many wrecks is difficult to determine because of changes in the environment, varied survey methods, and human error. Some wrecks are intentionally placed in the ocean to serve as artificial reefs or for disposal. Others pose a health and environmental threat from their cargo. Ownership and control over wrecks and obstructions is governed by a collection of state and federal regulations, the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. These data are a synthesis of two sources - the NOAA Office of Coast Survey's 2016 Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS), and the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC). Not included were those records that were clearly identified as natural features such as rocks, shoals, and trees. Features are recorded as either a wreck, wreck area, obstruction, or unknown.

Boundaries of all known protected areas within Micronesia as compiled by the Micronesia Challenge, a commitment launched in 2006 by Micronesian governments to strike a critical balance between the need to use their natural resources today and the need to sustain those resources for future generations. Five Micronesian governments--the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the U.S. Territory of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)--have committed to "effectively conserve at least 30 percent of the near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020." This region-wide initiative evolved from local conservation projects across Micronesia and is now a large-scale partnership between governments, nonprofit and community leaders, and multinational agencies and donors. Partners include NOAA, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International, and others. For further information, please see: http://www.micronesiachallenge.org

Shallow water mooring (SWM) buoys around Guam, Mariana Islands

Channels around Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Landmarks to aid in navigation around Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Beacon locations around Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

This data set contains human-use resource data for grounded, abandoned, and derelict vessels in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Vector points in this data set represent the vessel locations. This data set comprises a portion of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources.