FOR the people of the CNMI and Guam, the ocean is more than just water — it is our pantry, our highway, and our heritage. Yet the laws that determine who “owns” or controls the ocean can be confusing. This guide explains your rights and how a new federal law — the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or OBBBA — adds important protections for our islands.
1) Know Your Zones: From Shore to 200 Miles
To understand your maritime rights, it helps to know the two key ocean zones surrounding our islands:
The Inner Zone: Submerged Lands (0–3 Nautical Miles)
– What it is: The seafloor and waters extending from the shoreline out to 3 nautical miles.
– Who owns it: Thanks to years of legal advocacy — and the 2014 transfer for the CNMI — this area is now owned by our local governments.
– Why it matters: This zone includes our coral reefs and most local fishing grounds. Because we hold legal title to these submerged lands, the federal government “cannot” build, mine, or develop here without working directly with our local leaders.
The Outer Zone: Exclusive Economic Zone (3–200 Nautical Miles)
– What it is: The EEZ begins where the local zone ends and stretches out to 200 nautical miles.
– Who manages it: The U.S. federal government oversees this area.
– Why it matters: This is where large-scale commercial fishing and potential deep-sea mining occur. While federally managed, these resources are held “in trust” for the American people — and the Marianas are the closest stewards.
2) What Is the OBBBA (PL 119-21)?
Passed in 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a sweeping federal law that covers everything from taxes to healthcare. Crucially, it includes strong environmental “guardrails” — sometimes called a “kill switch” — to protect marine ecosystems and island communities.
How the OBBBA Protects the Marianas
– Sentinel Sensors (Early Warning):
The law funds a network of underwater robots that monitor our waters 24/7. If deep-sea mining or military activity causes toxic metals like lead or mercury to leak, these sensors immediately alert the community.
– Seafood Safety:
Many of us rely on subsistence fishing to feed our families. The OBBBA mandates strict monitoring to ensure toxins don’t travel up the food chain from the deep ocean to our dinner plates.
– Public Data Portals:
The law prohibits secrecy. All environmental data collected by the sensors must be posted online in a format that’s easy for the public to access and understand.
3) Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the OBBBA stop the military from using our waters?
A: No. The U.S. military retains the right to use certain areas for training. However, the OBBBA requires greater transparency. If military activities affect water quality, the sensors will detect it — and the data must be made public.
Q: Will the OBBBA change where I can fish?
A: For most local fishers, no. Your rights in the 0–3-mile zone remain under local control. In fact, the OBBBA helps protect your fishing grounds by ensuring that industrial activities farther out in the EEZ don’t pollute the reefs where our fish live.
Q: Why does the law mention deep-sea mining?
A: There’s growing interest in mining the ocean floor for minerals used in batteries. The OBBBA includes a $500 million “Clean Refining Initiative” that requires any such activity to use “closed-loop” systems — designed to prevent mud and chemicals from clouding our pristine waters.
4) Why This Matters Now
The OBBBA recognizes that islands like the CNMI and Guam are on the front lines of ocean stewardship. By combining our 3-mile ownership rights with the OBBBA’s environmental safeguards, we now have stronger tools to:
– Demand clean water
– Protect traditional fishing practices
– Hold the federal government accountable with real-time data
The following links provide context to help you better understand the message:
Audio overview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZtiTaP8Q_op6TxXXKp5E8p5uoDiqAzuS/view?usp=sharing
Infograph1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TGIsV_cvRKD-yz0TDQI3-ol_iuUZx71S/view?usp=sharing
Infograph2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-NMBM2s9vbzahMflAgcxo_Ad-NLX6f9T/view?usp=sharing
After presenting the “pros” and “cons” in this video overview, I urge everyone to take a moment to reflect and respond. Your voice matters, and your input is essential to shaping the outcome. Please don’t wait — submit your comment before the deadline hits at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Let’s make sure we’re heard.
(For your safety, please do not watch driving)
Video overview:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IVN_ZkHSWcD8t0uelfcRph53Px2P_FVd/view?usp=drivesdk
Please consider how OBBBA claims to enhance safety measures to protect both the environment and public health.
Guardrails (or kill switch) video overviews:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QE_AnyMkiN49zCN0J2D4jWUvdrJyl9ld/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iu69arkITXJNuGo3MONiOGckCd8WNK4G/view?usp=drivesdk
Please make your voice heard!
Thank you.
NOEL M. SORIA
Community member and concerned citizen
