Former Northern Marianas College President Agnes M. McPhetres said the monument proposal could be an “educational opportunity” for school children and the college students.
McPhetres, who now serves on the NMC board, said the educational benefits of the students will further develop when scientists start coming to the CNMI and collaborate with the College and other schools on island.
“As an educator I find it very beneficial to CNMI,” McPhetres, who recently met federal officials to discuss the proposed creation of a national marine monument.
“They were very positive,” she added.
Aside from educational benefits, she said, the CNMI will also get economic development through the new jobs and tourist arrivals that the marine monument could generate.
“Based on a study by a University of Guam economist, the proposal will bring in $8 million in revenue to the CNMI and create a minimum of 400 new jobs,” she said.
“I look at it very positively — I personally will not get anything out of it but it will give the CNMI a needed economic boost,” McPhetres said.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives rejected for the second time the proposal, saying that the CNMI stands to lose access to the 200-mile exclusive economic zone surrounding the waters of Maug, Asuncion and Uracas “which could spell the lost of potential economic opportunities for the indigenous people.”
The governor, senators and municipal officials have also expressed their opposition to the proposal.
McPhetres, for her part, said: “I think people have not read the scientific studies. There’s no place in the world that have what we have out there and we need to preserve it. Traditional fishing could still be allowed there.”
