(Conclusion)
DESIGNATING the southwest end beach at Laulau as launch site for small fishing boats is most appropriate not only because of its traditional use by our ancestors, but also because this part of Laulau was continually utilized throughout the German and early Japanese Periods.
To the native Tsamorru who recall their history correctly, this site is still known to them as i Pantalan Aliman (the German port/pier). It was during these colonial years that cow carts and small canoes transported goods and people to larger vessels waiting beyond the reef.
It makes perfect sense to make use of what still exists. There would not be a need to spend large sums of money (or possibly any money for that matter) to incorporate major improvements to the site and, from a cultural standpoint, the traditional use of the historical sagua´ (channel) would continue. It would be the “living history” element to this part of Laulau Beach. It would bring to life and reinforce an historical bridge that connects the present with the past.
Also, having this sector of the southwest beach as the designated launch area would minimize impacts to the other portions of Laulau Beach. The impact would be concentrated within the designated area. Strict enforcement of statutory provisions by CNMI law enforcement officers as well as adherence to legal provisions by fishermen and all who utilize the designated area should be the emphasis and the norm. As local fishermen, we fully comprehend how difficult it can be to be able to continually ensure that our indigenous cultural practices are perpetuated for our children’s sake. We know that it takes collaborative and coordinated efforts among ourselves and the community to not only conserve our marine resources, but to also preserve the means of proper access to these resources. Anyone caught launching their boat outside of the designated area would have to face the consequences as provided by law and/or regulations.
Having a designated small vessel launch area at Laulau Beach would also assist the CNMI Boating Safety officials in their response time to distress/emergency situations up and down the eastern coastline. Laulau Bay accords quicker access to Kagman Peninsula and up through to Marpi Point as well as down to Naftan and around to Obyan and Agingan Points. As things are right now, having Boating Safety launch from Smiling Cove and/or Sugar Dock to address distress calls anywhere along the eastern coastline impedes a quick response time and therefore jeopardizes the safety of those in distress.
Lastly, and most importantly, this designation would assist us with a practical means to continually provide for our families and foster the traditional fishing knowledge that identifies us as island people.
It should be noted that because of its location within the southwestern stretch of Laulau Bay, the southwest end beach would be more prone to greater impacts from tidal waters during inclement weather.
We are aware that any practical approach to any undertaking must reflect the consideration and inclusion of alternatives. For reasons akin to those enumerated on behalf of the southwest end beach, we propose that the current area being utilized by the CNMI’s commercial diving operations be considered the alternative in that:
It is a site that already incurs a moderate to high degree of human activity and therefore, including the impacts from the launching of small fishing boats would probably be a considerable burden, but not so much so that the site would suffer tremendous irreversible damage were it to take on this additional element of activity. The ancient Chamorro sagua´ or channel is situated within this northeast end of Laulau Bay. Historically, it is also known as i Unai Bapot (Vessel Beach) and/or As Bodik (the Bodik family’s place). Not unlike i Pantalan Aliman, according the site its continual use would realize a key component to Laulau Beach’s/Bay’s “living cultural history.”
Having the CNMI Boating Safety units launch from this site might be more advantageous because of its more centralized location within the stretch of the bay.
Whether taken as the alternative site to the southwest end beach or as the actual designation, the important emphasis is that we will have the opportunity that we seek to provide for our families and along with this, be able to pass on our traditional fishing knowledge to our children.
It is also important to note that because of its physical location, this part of Laulau Beach does not bear the brunt of tidal water impacts as much as would the beaches at both ends of the bay.
It is therefore understood that we have put forth a proposal for the designation of the southwest end beach, i Pantalan Aliman, as a launch site for small fishing boats and that the northeast end beach and current dive site, i Unai Bapot/As Bodik, would function as the alternative. It may very well be that subsequent discussions and findings would reveal that i Unai Bapot/As Bodik would be a more practical and appropriate site designation in which case, we further request for the consideration of i Pantalan Aliman as a temporary launch site while whatever work ends up being required over at the northeast end beach is being carried through. This consideration applies if i Pantalan Aliman were chosen as the designated launch site. We still request that at the very least, i Unai Bapot/As Bodik is designated as a temporary launch site should improvements be required for i Pantalan Aliman. Either way, this gives those of us with limited fishing capacities the opportunity to provide for our families’ needs without having to wait for completion of requisite structural work or having to run the risk of the entire project falling through.
The consideration of this proposal and hopefully, its eventual implementation should be pursuant to inclusive consultation opportunities involving all stakeholders public and private. Equally importantly, the subsequent enforcement of existing and/or developed policies and regulations should be kept consistent so as to ensure the continued viability of the marine environment and the practice of our traditional cultural fishing methods. Might we offer at this introductory point that as dedicated stewards of our island homes and ancestral traditions, my fellow fishermen and I will do our part to maintain the upkeep of the designated launch area (temporary or otherwise), such that the marine ecosystem upon which we are keenly dependent, is not threatened.
This particular issue will involve and affect many people as it will affect our land and marine environment and resources. We do not take this matter lightly and because we know that it will take a concerted effort to bring it to a positive and mutually beneficial level for all concerned stakeholders, we look to your support and collaboration in seeing how best to effectuate this proposed undertaking.

HERMAN C. TUDELA
Traditional fisherman
and group spokesman