OUR Pacific Islands fishing community recently lost one of its greatest champions, and I am still struggling to put into words how much his loss means to all of us.
Manny Duenas was the longtime president of the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association and a former chair of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management. More than any title, though, Manny was a man whose voice carried the weight of fishermen across our U.S. Pacific Islands. When Manny spoke, people listened. And our fishermen knew someone was fighting for them.
Manny was fearless. For decades, he fought for Pacific Island fishermen, not just Guam’s fishermen, but fishermen from American Samoa, the CNMI, and Hawai‘i too. He understood something too many people still overlook: our island communities may be small, and our fleets may be small compared to foreign fleets, but our stake in these fisheries is enormous.
I first got to know Manny back in 2012, when I was a new Council staff member still finding my footing. From the start, it was clear what kind of man he was. He was not afraid of anyone in those meetings. When something was wrong, he called it out plainly and never sugarcoated it. He spoke up for the indigenous people of our region whether or not it was the easy thing to do, and he refused to let our communities be ignored. Watching him, I came to understand what it really means to show up for your people.
But Manny did not just fight for our communities. He also lifted up the people coming along behind him, and I was one of them. He taught me that our voices are one of the strongest tools we have to defend the people who depend on these fisheries, and to make sure they are heard.
The last time he visited Pago Pago, he pulled me aside and told me to speak up, to stop holding back, and to use the platform I had been given, because our people need a voice. That stayed with me. Whatever willingness I have today to stand up and speak out for our communities, I owe so much of it to Manny.
He showed all of us what courage looks like. I hope his memory becomes a challenge to each of us to step up, to speak up, and to carry Manny’s torch forward for the people of our region.
To his family, to the Guam fishing community, and to everyone across this region who walked alongside him, you have my deepest sympathy and my prayers of love and comfort. Please know how many of us are grieving with you.
I am heartbroken that he is gone. But more than that, I am grateful. Grateful that I knew him. Grateful for the time he gave me. Grateful for a lifetime of work that made things better for our fishermen, our families, and our islands across the Pacific.
That work, and the example he set, will stay with us.
Rest easy, Uncle Manny. “Manuia lou malaga.” Until we meet again.
NATHAN ILAOA
Director, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources
Chair, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
