PACIFIC Remote Islands Coalition members will be on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota beginning May 16 to discuss the proposed designation of a new national marine sanctuary in the Central Pacific, said coalition organizer Ulukoa Duhaylonsod.
“For our meetings in the Marianas with the PRI Coalition, we want to share the conversation with everyone about the PRI Sanctuary,” Duhaylonsod said. “I’m ready to discuss our goal of keeping our marine resources sustainable and accessible to indigenous peoples of the Pacific.”
According to the group’s website, the PRI Coalition is in favor of the Biden administration’s proposal to expand protections at Howland and Baker Islands and Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll.
Aside from expanding marine conservation areas, the PRI Coalition wants the proposed new marine sanctuary to have a name that reflects Pacific heritage.
The coalition also advocates for including indigenous Pacific communities in management actions.
Currently, Howland and Baker Islands and Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll conservation areas are grouped alongside Wake Atoll, Johnston Atoll, and Jarvis Island in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
Protected areas around Wake Atoll, Johnston Atoll, and Jarvis Island expand to 200 nautical miles.
Conservation boundaries at Howland and Baker Islands and Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll, however, currently only expand to 50 nautical miles. The Biden administration has proposed to allow for 200 nautical miles of protection in those areas.
Eva Aguon Cruz, founder of Manhita Marianas, is assisting with the on-site coordination for the PRI Coalition meetings in the CNMI. The proposed agenda includes a “community building” conversation on Saipan with natural resource community organizations.
The PRI Coalition group will be on Tinian on May 17, and on Rota on May 18. On both islands, the coalition is scheduled to meet with cultural practitioners and local political leaders, and visiting significant, sacred heritage and historical sites along the way.
“We want to hear about conservation and preservation efforts from our relatives throughout the Marianas,” Duhaylonsod said. “We would like to show solidarity here. How can we support the efforts in the Marianas or at least amplify the voices here?”
Duhaylonsod also hopes that the meetings here will raise awareness about the need to combat climate change. “It takes all of the peoples of the Pacific to accomplish meaningful action to protect our ocean. And it will take a serious commitment from all the countries in the world to keep our planet livable.”
