PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSMIS) — The leading maritime authority in the Federated States of Micronesia has changed its name from Micronesian Fisheries Authority to the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority.
The authority’s history began under the banner of Micronesia Maritime Authority to guarantee the sustainable use, management and development of the nation’s most valuable renewable resource, its marine resources. The authority’s establishment on Jan. 1, 1979 coincided with the recognition and establishment of the nation’s extended fishery zone, now re-named the exclusive economic zone.
The Micronesia Maritime Authority in Oct. 2000, changed its name to Micronesian Fisheries Authority to distinguish areas of its management. On March 8, MFA was officially changed to NORMA to describe the encompassing areas of management under the authority. The areas of the authority’s management are stated under Title 24 of the Code of FSM, with duties to include the following:
• To adopt regulations for the conservation, management, and exploitation of fish in the exclusive economic zone;
• To conclude foreign and domestic-based fishing agreements;
• To issue domestic, domestic-based fishing permits in accordance with procedures prescribed by the authority;
• To participate in the planning and execution of programs relating to fisheries, or fishing in the exclusive economic zone in which a state government or the government of the Federated States of Micronesia, or any agency or subdivision thereof, has a proprietary interest, direct or indirect, by way of stock ownership, partnership, joint venture, or otherwise.
