CNMI residents oppose national marine sanctuary

A public hearing on Saipan for a Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary drew major criticism from residents about the process and proposal, with a majority of speakers disapproving of the plan.

Residents at a public hearing on Saipan Thursday voiced strong opposition to the proposed Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary in Micronesia, which covers over 700,000 square miles.

Resident J.D. Tenorio said, "We need to make sure that you give the people more time and more respect." The area is 2,000 miles away from the Marianas. The hearing on Saipan is the fourth of seven scoping meetings in the U.S.-Pacific Islands hosted by NOAA.

Christine Igisomar said, "I believe choosing these largely uninhabited islands is testing the water. Allowing this process, if successful, to reach other places that are inhabited by native Pacific Islanders such as myself."

After these meetings, the designation process moves to the draft sanctuary proposal, which includes an environmental impact statement, then more public review through comments and hearings, ending with their final decision.

Some locals say they want to maintain their fishing rights and won’t allow more federal takeover of the Pacific Ocean, including the increased military activities in the region. Others are open to hearing more from the visitors.

Fellow neighbor Frances Sablan shared, "There are extreme comments as to the process and everything that is happening but as a retired educator, as an ocean elder, I am appreciative of the process. Yes, the timing is short and sometimes it is improv, but it is a process. It is being done. And all we need to do now is make the best of it."

One speaker stressed how there is a movement to revitalize traditional voyaging to consider. He says the sanctuary is in the line of traditional sea routes.

Leo Pangelinan said, "How do you actively nurture today’s generation and future generations of seafarers who would need to connect to those sea routes?"

The hearings continue on Rota and Tinian this weekend.