Services’s aquaculture consultant Michael Ogo was recently selected by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific region’s leading scientific authority, to attend an aquaculture study tour in Thailand and represent the commonwealth at a global conference in Malaysia sponsored by the World Aquaculture Society.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is an international organization that offers technical assistance, policy advice, training, and research to the CNMI and other island countries and territories in the Pacific in the areas of health, human development, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries/aquaculture.
The World Aquaculture Society is a non-profit global organization whose focus is to strengthen research and communications worldwide in the study of aquaculture.
“I am deeply honored to have been given this opportunity to meet with fellow aquatic studies experts,” said Ogo.
Ogo, who has been the lead on all of NMC’s aquaculture endeavors since its introduction in 2005, will be joining representatives from other Pacific island members of the SPC at the two venues.
In Thailand, Ogo will visit aquatic feed and equipment manufacturing sites, as well as a research institute specializing in aquatic studies.
At the conference in Malaysia, which is annually attended by aquaculture experts, aquatic equipment suppliers, and potential investors, Ogo will promote a potential aquatic industry in the CNMI.
“By meeting with feed and equipment suppliers, I will be able to identify and procure more nutritious feed for the specimens in our tanks, as well as affordable cutting-edge technology used in aquatic laboratories around the world,” he said.
In accordance with a public law which mandates NMC-CREES be the lead in all new research developments, Ogo has headed various projects including the advancement of the college’s aquatic lab’s biosecurity efforts, the implementation of the recirculating aquaculture systems in the lab’s tanks, and the research of many new varieties of aquatic life.
“We are extremely proud of the recognition and prestige that Michael brings to the college,” said NMC President Carmen Fernandez. “I am sure that the knowledge and experience he brings back from the international workshops and conference will prove instrumental in furthering NMC’s efforts to diversify and stimulate economic activity in aquaculture.”
Global Trotters diving guidebook to include Northern Marianas
THE annual Global Trotters guidebook reaching 50,000 divers and snorkelers in Japan will feature the
Northern Marianas in its 2010 edition, a media release stated.
The CNMI is expected to receive 12 full pages in the full-color book, which introduces diving spots around the world.
The 300+ page book provides information for beginning divers and also features tourist spots in each destination.
Global Trotters: Complete Travel Guide for Diving & Snorkeling sent a writer and cameraman to the Northern Marianas on Sept. 28-Oct. 4.
Awarding-winning cavern dive Grotto will be featured, as well as boat dive favorites Ice Cream and Dimple.
Some of the many shore dives of the islands will also be highlighted, including Wing, Paupau, Laulau and Obyan beaches.
The white sand shores and numerous water sports of Managaha were also covered by the editorial team.
Island accommodations at Hafadai Beach Hotel will be featured, as well as coverage of Mariana Resort & Spa and the Mandi Asian Spa.
Nightlife options will be presented, including the Las Vegas-style SandCastle dinner show and downtown bar The Flair.
The islands’ international cuisine offerings were also covered by the editorial duo, with stops at Kinpachi Restaurant, Coffee Care, and Country House Restaurant.
“Due to our wonderful warm weather and high visibility, one of the most popular year round activities of Japanese visiting our islands is diving,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio. “We hope to capitalize on the proximity of our islands as we reach more divers in Japan through next year’s Global Trotters edition.”
The estimated exposure value for the Northern Marianas is $102,000.
The familiarization tour was also supported by “I Love Saipan” Souvenir Mall at the Star Sands Plaza, Tasi Tours & Transportation Inc., and Marianas Sports Club Inc.
The publication has said it also intends to return in the future to feature Tinian and Rota.
KEEP IT UP! Charnessa Skilang Lizama’s family wishes her the best in her first year at Northern Marianas College. Contributed photo
Article 12 on Marianas Agupa
SENATOR Maria Frica T. Pangelinan, Alex Sablan and Efrain Camacho will be guests on Marianas Agupa Chamorro Radio Talk Show, 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., this Saturday, Oct. 24, on Magic 100.3 FM.
Article 12 will be discussed.
The program is hosted by Glenn H. Manglona and the phone line at the radio station will be open for questions during the show.
Live internet broadcast on www.magic100radio.com will also be available. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
USCIS advisory
THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advises anyone who lives in the CNMI who is submitting an immigration application to list their post office box where the immigration form asks for a street address.
If an applicant has already filed an application with USCIS using a street name, it is important to complete a change of address.
There are four ways to do change your address for the specific application you have submitted:
1. Complete a change of address online. Instructions are found at www.uscis.gov/addresschange
2. Call USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283
3. Make an InfoPass appointment on-line to visit the local USCIS Application Support Center on Saipan. You can make an appointment at www.infopass.uscis.gov.
4. E-mail [email protected].
If you are not a U.S. citizen and you have a pending application or petition, you must also complete a paper or electronic AR-11 Change of Address to change your address in our master database.
This form is available online at www.uscis.gov; by mail through USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283; or at the USCIS office at TSL Plaza on Saipan.
USCIS is the agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that deals with immigration benefits.
BANK SEMINAR. Bank of Hawaii’s consumer banking representative manager Herminio Matsumoto explains to students and staff of Northern Marianas College the different methods of identifying and avoiding fraud scams. The presentation, which took place at the NMC Student Center, was part of Bank of Hawaii’s “Free Smart Money Seminar on Protecting Yourself Against Fraud.” Contributed photo
RELIEF DRIVE. A student of the Upward Bound Program on Tinian and his mother pose with Northern Marianas College-Tinian instructional site staff for a photo at the booth they set up at their tsunami and typhoon relief drive to collect canned goods and clothing items for victims of the recent natural disasters in American Samoa and the Philippines. The booth was set up near the Triangle Grounds on Tinian. Contributed photo
Live fire training on FDM
(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct live fire training on Farallon De Mendenilla. The schedule is as follows:
• Oct. 20, from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. — live fire training and laser operations
• Oct. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. — live fire training and laser operations
• Oct. 20, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. — live fire training
• Oct. 21-22, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. — live fire training
Due to the danger imposed by these activities, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is strongly advising the general public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and dates indicated.
