She said the monument created by then-President George W. Bush is not what they envisioned.
McPhetres, in her written reply to questions from Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, said they wanted a marine protected area and not just a mere recognition of geological structures.
They proposed a no-take marine protected area where only traditional fishing is allowed, and which will be used for education, protection of environment, enrichment of culture and promotion of tourism.
They also wanted it comprised of the full U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the CNMI’s three northernmost islands — Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion.
McPhetres said the monument in the presidential declaration consists of “the federal waters surrounding Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion from the mean high tide mark between 30-60 miles.”
Moreover, commercial fishing is the only fully restricted activity. Many other types of harmful fishing activities are allowed, she added.
The Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council, McPhetres said, “is trying to further weaken the protections afforded the monument…by coming up with fishing definitions that would allow for all types of fishing.”
McPhetres said they lobbied for the monument to be managed by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Program because of its education and outreach focus and the likelihood that they would put the headquarters and a visitor center on Saipan.
She said the monument should be under the care of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sanctuaries, and not of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services nor NOAA Fisheries.
Reminding Bordallo of the 150 “unique” letters from the CNMI in support of the monument, McPhetres said it is an issue that people of the Northern Marianas care deeply about, and they want to see the federal government keep its promises.
Bordallo, D-Guam, chairs the U.S. House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, which held a public hearing last February on two bills: H.R. 3511, which was introduced by Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Ind.-MP, and Bordallo’s H.R. 4493.
Sablan proposes the opening of a visitor center in the CNMI, but Bordallo wants it on Guam.
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