Press Release-Navigating Change: Estorian Peskadot Marianas (26 February 2025)

News and Updates, Press Releases, Upcoming Other Meetings and Events

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).

Upcoming Events

May
27
Tue
12:00 pm Social Science Planning Committe...
Social Science Planning Committe...
May 27 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Date: May 27, 2025         Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Location: Hybrid (In-person with remote option via WebEx) In-person attendance will be hosted at Council office, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu,[...]
7:00 pm American Samoa Archipelago FEP A...
American Samoa Archipelago FEP A...
May 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tedi of Samoa Bldg., Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, AS May 27 (T) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (SST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m5dffba2633a6c16c39596c13913a48c9 Event number (if prompted): 2862 514 0731 Event password (if prompted): ASAP0527mtg[...]
10:00 pm Mariana Archipelago FEP CNMI Adv...
Mariana Archipelago FEP CNMI Adv...
May 27 @ 10:00 pm – May 28 @ 12:00 am
BRI Building Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St., Garapan, Saipan May 29 (R) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (ChST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m434e28929195a5c2e61490aa91c3ec8a Event number (if prompted): 2865 231 4115 Event password (if prompted):[...]
May
30
Fri
9:00 am Hawaii Archipelago and PRIA FEP ...
Hawaii Archipelago and PRIA FEP ...
May 30 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Council Office, 1164 Bishop St Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii May 30 (F) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (HST) Hybrid Meeting via Webex: https://wprfmc.webex.com/wprfmc/j.php?MTID=m20e511ba10c9ff74779a5fd0f19723e8 Event number (if prompted): 2861 682 5663 Event password (if prompted): HIAP0530mtg[...]