The mayor submitted a proposal under the Western Pacific Demonstration Project for the implementation of the Pagan fishing community.
“The island of Pagan currently does not have an economic opportunity for its residents and are hopeful that a sustainable fishing community may be able to be developed and prosper,” he said.
In his proposal, the mayor said, the fishing community will be involved in trolling for tunas, wahoos, mahi-mahis and marlins.
It will also involve bottom fish for snappers, groupers, job fish, trevallies and emperor, and spear fishing for surgeonfish, rudderfish, parrotfish, mullets and goatfish, he said.
Aldan said the fishing community will be able to process for consumption harvested fish which will undergo proper processing to preserve and maintain quality for export to Saipan where it will be sold and distributed.
He did not disclose the funding source.
Former Rep. William S Torres, consultant for the upcoming Northern Islands Development Summit, said the mayor has already lised major undertakings with the collaboration of local leaders and agency partners.
“More exciting work-in-progress developments are in store for the residents of the Northern Islands community that Mayor Aldan is happy to share widely with the residents of the Northern Islands and the entire CNMI community,” Torres said.
Aside from the Pagan fishing community project, Torres said Aldan is also pushing for the Marine Monument project, alternative energy, eco-tourism, scientific laboratory, specialty crop, rugged terrain training campsite and adventure, and a wildlife sanctuary project.
Those projects, he added, are consistent with Aldan’s vision of re-settlement and re-development in the Northern Islands.
Aldan said his office is requesting for $150,000 for the Pagan fishing community project.
He said the project will involve the construction of enclosed fish drying-dehydrating cabinets, fish cleaning and smoking building, and packaging and shipping structure.
“All harvested fish products will be processed and packaged in accordance with current health and food handling standards including formal training in the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point for all personnel directly involved in the processing,” he said.
He said the proposed project on Pagan will benefit citizens residing there and will be under the direct supervision of his office.
Aldan admitted that the most critical aspect of his proposed project involves the establishment and operation of a reliable and consistent transportation system between Saipan and Pagan.
He said a similar project in the past failed because of the lack of reliable transportation.
“As such, fuel arrangement will be made between [my office] and interested vessels capable of sailing to and from the two islands. Chartering to and from the northern islands is extremely costly and the proposed project funding level would not be able to support this option,” he added.
