FORMER Rep. Tina Sablan is inviting community members to contribute to the findings of a “community landscape analysis” study funded by the National Ocean Protection Coalition.
Sablan, who is a project lead for the study, called the NOPC a “nonprofit coalition of people and organizations that works to support equitable, community-led marine conservation and effective marine protected areas in the nation.”
Their website states that their mission is “to convene people and organizations to strategically activate our collective power to create and enhance equitable and effective U.S. marine protected areas.”
By taking the survey found at bit.ly/OceanMarianas community members can share their perspectives on where local priorities should be in regards to ocean conservation. Sablan said the data will help her and the organization come up with an initial findings and a proposed priority actions report.
Aside from the survey, Sablan said she and Alex Tudela, project assistant, have interviewed fishermen, resource managers and planners, scientists, other non-government organizations, traditional seafarers, and cultural practitioners.
“A common sentiment we’ve heard in these interviews is that the ocean connects us all,” Sablan said. “A healthy, thriving ocean is key to a healthy, thriving community. We’re exploring these and other shared values, barriers or challenges that may have kept people from working together, and opportunities for collaboration, as well as healing.”
The survey ends on Sept. 30.
For more contact Tina Sablan at (670) 285-3935 or email [email protected]/.
Tina Sablan
