Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, left, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, right, join Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar, second left, in receiving a framed copy of Senate Commemorative Resolution 24-2 from its co-authors, Sen. Corina Magofna and Sen. Ronnie Calvo, after proclaiming Fishers Recognition Week on Friday at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Office of the Governor photo
PAST, present and future fishermen were honored in the launching of the inaugural Fishers Recognition Week at the Garapan Fishing Base on Friday.
Participating in the historic event for local fishermen were Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan O. Igisomar, Sen. Corina Magofna, Sen. Ronnie Calvo, Master Navigator Cecilio Raiukiulipiy, DLNR Aquatic Education Public Information Officer Dena Kamano, as well as representatives of various fishermen’s organizations.
After the governor and the lieutenant governor signed the proclamation declaring Fishers Recognition Week, Magofna presented Senate Commemorative Resolution 24-2, which recognizes the significant contributions of the fishing community. This was followed by a roadside waving activity on Beach Road.
In his remarks, Governor Palacios said fishing is part of island culture. Many times, he said, “we take it for granted because it’s right there.” He also noted that sometimes policies affect local cultural and customary practices of fishing for sustenance.
“Sometimes we don’t understand the policies. Whether a regulation from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or from the Coastal Resource Management, sometimes we just don’t understand it,” the governor said.
“But let’s be clear about this. We are island people. We are island communities and we, our parents, our forefathers and mothers, have preserved these resources for generations and generations of our people,” Palacios said.
In declaring Fishers Recognition Week, he urged everyone to remember that fishing is “our culture and embedded in our DNA, and so we learn how to sustain these resources, but there are best practices that we may not have been aware of. It is time that we recognize those individuals who have developed the fishing industry and continue to practice, protect and perpetuate these resources for ourselves today and for generations to come,” Palacios added.
For his part, Lt. Gov. Apatang thanked all the fishermen in the CNMI. “You are always out there fishing for us in the community. It’s not easy to be under the sun. Some of the fishermen were out there for days and brought fish for all of us,” he said.
He also thanked the organizations that educate the youth on how to fish properly. “We have a lot of water out here. So we can never run out of fish. Maybe one of these days, we can probably come up with a tuna factory here. Hopefully. Thank you for making today possible. Please continue on an annual basis,” Apatang said.
DLNR Secretary Igisomar, in his remarks, said, “Fishery is such a deep and profound structure in our community.”
Growing up in a family of fishermen, Igisomar said, fishing is spoken of with reverence. “Because, as we all know, the ocean can be treacherous at times and it can take lives. And so, whenever we have family and community members that go out fishing, it’s not a joking matter because…sometimes we have bad luck and the ocean claims lives,” he said.
He urged everyone to take a moment to remember “all those who have gone before us, those who were fishing for our community and all those who continue to do sustainable fishing.” He also recognized all the local fishing clubs, adding “I am very proud of them.”
Master Navigator Cecilio Raiukiulipiy acknowledged the fishermen “before us, their families, the senior citizens, and supporters.”
He also recognized the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine patrol section, non-profit organizations and government agencies that serve as frontliners in ensuring the safety of fishermen.
He said fishermen show deep respect for nature and the importance of caring for the ocean and its resources.
“We celebrate the art and adventure of fishing, the joy of being in the biggest and deepest ocean on earth. Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men and women. They are equal before the fish. In the silence of nature, a fisherman hears the whispers of his own soul,” he said.
“Fishing is a job and a good job. It’s a rich man’s job, a poor man’s job, but it is a happy job, and…it’s a lot of things, but most of all, it’s a rewarding job,” he added.
