Marine Conservation Plans are plans for research, education, projects and programs that would increase CNMI’s ability to conserve and manage our fisheries and natural resources. The plan inventories and lists essential projects and programs that are in need of funding.
MCPs are created to make use of funds collected by the secretary of Commerce pursuant to entering into Pacific Insular Area Fishery Agreements, and funds from violations of fishing regulations in the EEZ of U.S. insular areas and remote island areas. The funds are awarded to MCP projects and programs.
Section 204 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act creates PIAFAs. PIAFAs are fishing agreements that would allow foreign fishing on stocks of fish in the Pacific Insular areas and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. PIAFAs are limited to a maximum of three years.
To date, no PIAFAs have been entered into. Any allowance of foreign fishing in the CNMI would have to be requested by the CNMI’s governor. The U.S. Department of State will consult with the governor, and there must be an agreement. Any permitted foreign fishing would be specific, highly regulated and strictly enforced. Before such an agreement could be entered into, there must be an active Marine Conservation Plan in place. Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands developed and submitted Marine Conservation Plans for their respective island areas. Hawaii’s Plan covers any fishing agreements in the Pacific Remote Island Areas (Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Jarvis Island, Howland Island, Baker Island and Wake Island). MCPs are in effect for three years before they need to be renewed.
These plans reflect CNMI’s policies and priorities in managing our natural resources in EEZ waters and, properly, recognize and respect CNMI’s right to manage our own marine resources.
IGNACIO DELA CRUZ, D.V.M.
Secretary
Department of Lands
and Natural Resources
