IN honor of CNMI Ocean Month, the Division of Coastal Resources Management held a Saipan Ocean Fair at Civic Center on Saturday.
The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services, and the Friends of the Marianas Trench joined the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality in hosting educational booths promoting environmental awareness.
Local arts and crafts vendors displayed various local items, including shell necklaces, bead necklaces, weaving local crafts, and traditional mwars.
The fair also included, for those who were at least 7 years of age, free water activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, canoe riding, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Free swimming classes were available for those at least 5 years of age.
Several food vendors offered local favorites, and event participants were encouraged to bring their reusable water bottles to help make the event plastic-free.
The CNMI’s ocean economy employs up to 8,300 people annually, which is roughly 40% to 50% of local employment, contributing about $922 million towards the Commonwealth’s annual gross domestic product, the proclamation stated.
In a previous statement, the Torres-Palacios administration said the indigenous people of the CNMI have a deep and cultural connection with the ocean as it is a source of traditional knowledge and practices passed down through the generations.
“The adverse effects of climate change continue to impact smaller ocean nations more drastically than larger countries. The CNMI has experienced more frequent extreme weather events as a result of climate change, such as Super Typhoon Soudelor, Typhoon Mangkhut, and Super Typhoon Yutu,” the proclamation stated.
The administration at the same time recognizes BECQ’s efforts to protect and enhance the CNMI’s coastal resources for residents and visitors through effective and adaptive resource management, interagency collaboration, and stakeholder engagement, in a manner that builds and sustains community resilience and well-being.
“Through strong local, regional, and national partnerships, we are able to harness our collective knowledge and experience to better promote resource stewardship,” the administration said.
It added that CNMI Ocean Month reaffirms the people’s commitment to responsible stewardship of ocean resources to ensure that the natural beauty, traditional practices, historical significance, and local knowledge of the ocean is preserved and maintained for future generations.
“This month, we call upon all citizens of the Commonwealth to reflect on the value and importance of our ocean not only to our livelihoods and economy, but also as a source of recreation and enjoyment.”
Across the globe, June is known as World Oceans Month, with June 8 recognized as World Oceans Day.
Free water activities were offered at the Saipan Ocean Fair on Saturday.
Locally woven baskets filled with locally grown produce were on display at the Saipan Ocean Fair on Saturday.
Local arts and crafts vendors wove traditional mwars at the Saipan Ocean Fair on Saturday.
