Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, disclosed to Variety yesterday that his committee is now “reshaping” House Bill 17-136 to fit current Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Introduced by Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan, H.B. 17-136 will allow non-commercial net fishing in the waters surrounding the CNMI in order “to help the local people who have been suffering from the 16-hour cut and increasing cost of living.”
Palacios said his committee appreciates Iguel’s intention of helping the people make both ends meet through the available marine resources, but he assured the bill’s effectivity will be “temporary.”
Once the government is ready to bring back the 80 working hours, the bill may be repealed.
Palacios said the bill will comply with the existing regulations. It will provide that the net’s holes will be not less than two inches big, he added.
Under the existing rules, surround net fishing is allowed only during special occasions like fiestas. The new version of H.B. 17-136 will allow only once a month of subsistence fishing, besides the occasional ones allowed by Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Also, Palacios said, the bill will require applicants to register their nets with the Division of Fish and Wildlife which will assign them a color-coded buoy to monitor their fishing activity.
DFW will impose a $2 fee on every applicant except those 15 years old and below and 55 years old above.
Palacios said his committee has already brought this up with the responsible agencies and as soon as the bill is revised they will recommend it for action when the House convenes next week.
