He said based on the series of community meetings they held on Rota, Tinian and Saipan, the biggest concern brought up by fishermen is the current economic hardship.
“We are here to teach them about the opportunities they have with their marine resources,” he added.
Ka’ai’ai said the local people must learn to appreciate and use their marine resources as a sustainable source of income.
He said even though job opportunities are scarce in these tough economic times, “the people can always look forward to marine resources for food, for fishing and for other means of living that the ocean can provide them.”
Fishery council communications officer Sylvia Spalding said “there is more to the fishing business than fishing on boats.”
The fishing industry, she added, can be a big industry that includes marketing and importing of products.
“Marine resources will always be there for the people to provide them their important needs such as food,” she said.
