Funded primarily by grants from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as provided by the Sports Fish Restoration Act, activities include monitoring fish and benthos in marine protected areas, developing a fisheries checklist and Fish "Fact Sheets", a Fish Agregating Devices (FADs) program, and research on the life history characteristics of certain Local and Food Fish species. The Section also provides quality assurance and control of various data streams, offers technical assistance as needed, and is evaluating the influence of pre-position ships on coral reefs.
As an active member of the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council (WESPac), the Division and its Fisheries Section professional staff serve on Council Plan Teams that work to manage fisheries in a sustainable manner at local and regional scales. Through the Western Pacific Fishery Information Network or WPacFIN, the Fisheries Data Program receives funding and technical support for three databases incorporating boat-based offshore creel surveys, imported fish and commercial purchases of fish. WPacFIN offers a general introduction to CNMI fisheries including photographs of DFW's 1999 Fishing Derby. One can review estimated landings data, as well as data processing and collection methods used to contribute to the Fishery Information Network. Details about the CNMI's Bottomfish Fishery and Pelagic Fishery may also be reviewed online.