The council set a control date of June 19, 2008 for the CNMI-based longline fishery. The measure recognizes the potential for this fishery to increase rapidly, as it did in Hawaii and American Samoa. Two longline vessels currently operate in the CNMI. Both began operating in the last couple of years.
The council also voted to remove the effort limit that has kept the Hawaii longline fishery for swordfish operating at half of its historical level of fishing for the past four years.
The effort limit was imposed when the fishery reopened in 2004 following a lawsuit focused on the fishery’s interactions with loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles.
Since its reopening, the fishery has been subject to a suite of management measures that include, among others, an effort limit, requirements that a federal observer be onboard during each and every Hawaii swordfish trip, and annual hard caps of 16 leatherback or 17 loggerhead sea turtle interactions, with the fishery closing down if either cap is reached.
Additionally, the council voted to modify the sea turtle hard caps for the Hawaii longline swordfish fishery to 19 leatherback and 46 loggerheads.
In making this decision, the council considered that none of the sea turtle interactions since 2004 have resulted I direct mortalities, and the new caps do not appear to jeopardize the continued existence of either population.
Also on Thursday, the council voted to continue work on management measures for fish aggregating devices used by purse seine vessels operating in the exclusive economic zone of the U.S. Pacific islands.
The council is looking to classify all floating objects that have been purposefully deployed, enhanced or instrumented with the intent of utilization as FADs by purse seine operations.
All such FADs would be required to be marked with the owner’s name and vessel identification and be registered with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The council will also look at limiting all purse seine FAD fishing in the U.S. EEZ to these registered FADs and restricting the use of FAD sets by purse seiners in the US EEZ waters around American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and Hawaii.
However, the council will not take a final vote on these matters until after the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission convenes in Dec. 2008 in Korea.
This international commission is expected to address FAD management during its negotiations on measures to end overfishing of bigeye tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
NMI students leave for drama festival
ON Saturday, 13 CNMI students departed for the International Thespian Festival being held in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Two more students, already on the mainland U.S. for the National Forensic League competitions, will join them.
They will have a busy week: staging two one-act comedies to be performed in the Howell Theatre and the Carson Theatre at University of Nebraska; attending workshops on all aspects of theatre and film; competing in individual events in monologue, duet acting, solo musical theatre, mime, costume design, set design, and film; and attending plays staged by the top student theatre groups in the nation.
The CNMI students who won the chance to participate in the International Thespian Festival by participating in several rounds of competition in the CNMI are Johnna Lubuguin of Saipan Southern High School; Ryan Gutierrez, SSHS; Richille Denora, SSHS; Miki Nadia Dela Cruz, Kagman High School; Sung Yul “Tommy” Baik, Marianas High School; Moon Hso Lee, MHS; Young Min Park, MHS; Myrene Evangelista, MHS; Matthew Wheat, MHS; Reece Brown, SAEFS; Royze Banados, Hopwood Junior High Schol; Dayanra Flores, HJHS; Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero, Mt. Carmel School; Sung Woo “Jimmy” Baik, MCS; and Victor Sablan, MCS.
Their teacher escorts are Wesley Foster, MHS; Dora B. Miura, SSHS; and Shauna Brown, SAEFS.
Harold Easton of MHS, the chapter director, will join them as well.
Homes sought for cats, dogs
(PAWS) — PAWS is going through a particularly difficult time finding homes for unwanted animals.
The foster families listed below have been very kind in opening their homes to unwanted animals. Usually it only takes PAWS a week or two to find homes for unwanted animals. Unfortunately, due to our inability to find homes for these animals, these foster families have been fostering these animals for four-plus weeks. Our inability to find homes for these animals in a prompt manner affects our foster family pool. People are not willing to foster animals if they think they are going to get stuck with animals, which is why PAWS tries to work diligently to find homes in a prompt manner.
Gizmo is a multi-colored male that is about 10 weeks of age. He is quite a character. He loves attention and to play. The foster family has really enjoyed caring for him and would like to find him a good home. If you are interested, please contact Rachelle at [email protected] or at 322-2104 or 286-7909.
Four adorable kittens are also ready for adoption. All kittens are litter trained and deflead. Mesa, Phantom, Banshee, and Moo are looking for good homes. All four have beautiful coats and affectionate personalities. If you are interested in adopting or fostering any of these beautiful kittens please contact Aaron or Amanda via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 256-7732 or 285-8101.
Leo is a male kitten that is about 11-12 weeks of age. He is currently living with a foster family that has a toddler, to whom he is very attached. He is tolerant of children and other animals, though he would have problem with hoarding attention for himself. If you are interested in adopting Leo, please contact Melissa at 234-1253 or at [email protected].
PAWS is also looking for an immediate permanent or foster home for two dogs. The people who are currently caring for the dogs found them abandoned about two months ago and are unable to continue fostering the dogs this summer. Both are well-behaved and gentle. The female dog is expecting puppies. If you are interested in learning more about this foster or adoption opportunity, please contact Michael at 789-2153 or via e-mail at [email protected].
House panel to
conduct public
hearing on weapons control bill
THE House Committee on Commerce and Tourism will conduct a public hearing on House Bill 16-31 — “To Amend the Weapons Control Act to promote and allow resort developments offering target ranges for competitive rifle competitions and skeet shooting, and for other purposes.”
The public hearing is scheduled on:
• Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. in the House chamber, Honorable Jesus P. Mafnas Memorial Building, Capital Hill, Saipan.
• Saturday, July 12, at 10 a.m., Tinian Elementary School cafeteria, San Jose, Tinian.
• Saturday, July 26, 1 p.m. at the Village Round House, Songsong, Rota.
Copies of the legislation may be obtained from the following :
• The office of Rep. Joseph C. Reyes
• cnmileg.gov.mp.
• E-mail [email protected]
Members of the general public are encouraged to submit written testimony on or before the public hearing.
Oral testimony will be received during the public hearing.
To submit written testimony prior to the public hearing, drop-off or fax to the office of Rep. Joseph C. Reyes, 664-8838, or mail to P.O. Box 500586 Saipan, MP 96950. You can also e-mail your digital copies to [email protected].
For additional information, contact the office of Representative Reyes at 664-8836.
