(Office of the Governor) — Gov. David M. Apatang welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s June 11, 2026, signing of the Executive Proclamation Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, which restores access to designated fishing grounds within certain Pacific marine national monuments and reaffirms science-based fisheries management under existing federal law.
The proclamation includes portions of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and places these fisheries within the established management framework of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NOAA Fisheries, and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
The action recognizes the important role Pacific communities play in the stewardship and management of ocean resources.
“For generations, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands have relied on the ocean for sustenance, culture, and economic opportunity,” said Governor Apatang. “This proclamation acknowledges the importance of America’s Pacific territories and supports opportunities for responsible fisheries development while maintaining strong conservation standards.”
The Governor noted that the CNMI shares a common interest with other U.S. Pacific jurisdictions in supporting local fisheries and exploring economic opportunities connected to the ocean.
As the Commonwealth looks to the future, it continues to seek opportunities to expand local fisheries capacity, support fishermen, and enhance food security through the responsible use of marine resources.
Governor Apatang emphasized that existing federal protections for marine habitats, coral reefs, protected species, and other sensitive resources remain in place, ensuring that responsible resource management and environmental stewardship continue to guide fisheries activities in the region.
The Governor also recognized the efforts of Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvan Igisomar, the CNMI members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, and the Council itself for their longstanding advocacy on behalf of the Commonwealth and other Pacific island communities. Their efforts helped elevate Pacific fisheries issues at the national level and contributed to the broader dialogue that ultimately led to the President’s proclamation.
