The new set of regulations has taken effect last May 6 but some members of the panel were surprised to hear about it when National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s fishery policy analyst presented it during Western Pacific Fishery Management Council’s meeting at Fiesta Resort & Spa.
Those who are aware of the regulations raised concerns.
Benigno Sablan who chaired the said committee there are some issues related to the regulations that needs to be clarified.
And while the CNMI is waiting for the U.S. Congress to finally enact the law giving the CNMI three miles of the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, Sablan said he thinks the implementation of the new regulations has to wait as well.
He added that educating the community about it has to be conducted first before the regulations are enforced.
Senior Policy Advisor Ray Mafnas for his part said although it has taken many years to come up with such regulations, he still encourage the community to give comments and participate in public hearings, so the “avalanche” of federal regulations would not catch them flatfooted.
Wood agrees that such regulations need further discussion. He expressed confidence that yesterday’s meeting would launch further efforts in informing the public about the regulations.
