By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

A group of traditional fishermen is one step away from having a launching site for their small boats as the Department of Public Lands recently designated a site, according to one of the advocates.
The fishermen want to use a portion of Laolao Beach has a launching site.
Led by Herman Tudela, the traditional fishermen say the area was known to their ancestors as Pantalan i Aliman.
In an interview yesterday, Tudela said DPL sent them a letter dated April 23, allowing them to use the area.
The DPL letter states, “The site known as Pantalan i Aliman is hereby designated as a public launching site to be used by local fishermen.”
Tudela said DPL requires them to properly maintain and beautify the premises.
Now, all they have to do is to file an application with the Coastal Resource Management Office for the use of the site.
Tudela said CRMO explained to them how to file the application, and John Girlie, their consultant, is preparing it.
“We are being prevented from accessing our marine resources for basic subsistence purposes because of rules and regulations that should be re-assessed for their applicability and, more importantly, their practicality,” Tudela said.
He said the designation of a launching site for small boats at Laulau Beach is “most appropriate because of its traditional use by our ancestors.”
He said the designation of the site will also allow them to provide food for their families “and foster the kind of traditional fishing that identifies us as an island people.”