SAIPAN (26 February 2025) Fishing in the Pacific Islands is culturally, socially and economically important. Even small changes can have big consequences, especially when they impact fisheries and habitats. These effects are felt at the local level, directly influencing fishing communities.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council will hold a series of meetings with fishing communities across the Mariana Archipelago to discuss key fishery issues. The Council invites all members of the fishing communities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam to participate in discussions aimed at strengthening fishery management and community involvement. These meetings will bring together federal fishery managers, industry leaders, researchers and local fishers to share insights and tackle challenges related to sustainable fishing.

“These meetings are critical for us as fishermen. They ensure that the voices of fishers and their communities are heard in the implementation of federal fisheries,” said Alex Min, project coordinator at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group, a fishermen-led nonprofit organization facilitating community outreach. “We are focused on understanding the impact and needs of our communities to strengthen fisheries, protect marine ecosystems and support coastal communities that rely on seafood as a way of life.”

Key topics of discussion:

• The role of community input in future fishery management decisions
• Open discussions on local community impacts and challenges
• Updates on federal fishing regulations, policies and support programs

Meeting Schedule:

• CNMI – Saipan
  Date: February 27, 2025 (Thursday)
  Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ChST)
  Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Azucena Room, Coral Tree Ave., Garapan
• CNMI – Tinian
  Date: February 28, 2025 (Friday)
  Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (ChST)
  Location: Tinian Public Library, San Jose
• CNMI – Rota
  Date: March 1, 2025 (Saturday)
  Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ChST)
  Location: Mayor of Rota Conference Hall, San Francisco de Borja Hwy., Tatachog
• Guam – Malesso’
  Date: March 4, 2025 (Tuesday)
  Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)
  Location: Malesso’ Village Community Center, 440 Joseph A. Cruz St., Malesso’
• Guam – Dededo
  Date: March 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
  Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ChST)
  Location: Dededo Village Community Center, 335 Iglesias Cir., Dededo

We invite community members to participate in these vital discussions. Your voice matters as we work together to navigate changes and enhance the fishing community’s future.

For further information, please contact Council Island Coordinators for CNMI, Angela Dela Cruz (angela.delacruz@wpcouncil.org, 670-783-8729) or Guam, Felix Reyes (felix.reyes@wpcouncil.org, 671-483-1904).