Tinian south beaches declared marine reserve

By Agnes E. Donato
Reporter

Fishing and other activities that may be harmful to marine life are now prohibited in beaches south of Tinian.

Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez signed into law a bill creating a marine reserve area on Tinian, from the Southwest Carolinas Point to Puntan Diablo Point and Tachongna Beach.

“The Commonwealth Legislature finds that there is a need to preserve the marine environment for its natural and pristine beauty, and to regulate the fishing and harvesting of other marine life in [the said] area,” states the legislation authored by Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola.

The new marine reserve spot encompasses all the areas from Tachogna Beach, Taga Beach, YCC Beach, Kammer Beach, Tinian harbor, breakwater area to Leprosarium Beach and Barchinas Bay, from the high-tide mark on shore to one-half mile out to the reef.

Under the law, fishing and other potentially harmful activities to the marine life in the areas will be restricted. Fish, coral, lobster, clams, octopus, and any shellfish in the area may not be removed, disturbed, damaged, or destroyed. The only exemptions are seasonal fish such as atulai, i'i', and ti'ao, which may be harvested during their respective seasons.

Violators will face penalties.

The measure tasks the Division of Fish and Wildlife to assess the marine area to determine whether the fish population and marine habitat has reached a level adequate for sustainable fishing and harvesting. The assessment must be done in 2010.

Depending on the result of the assessment, DFW and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources on Tinian may allow certain activities and impose conditions.

- This is a news article of Saipan and which show that Saipan already knew that fishing activity harmful to the marine life and they should protect the marine life and to limit fishing activity. And the Tachogna Beach, Taga Beach, YCC Beach, Kammer Beach, Tinian harbor, breakwater area to Leprosarium Beach and Barchinas Bay are the place should to protect to avoid fishing. If the people fishing they will get a bill for penality. I think that is a good method to protect fish but I know still a lot of people fishing on the beach with fishing license. Most people knew that Managaha Island is a beautiful place and even local people like to spend weekend of there. The reason is not there has only had lovely beach but also love fished. If you go there, you can see a lot of different kind fishes and some of them follow you when you swim. Also, you can hear that the sound when the bite the rock under the water and which is the most important reason to attract tourist to visit there. I know to protect the fish is a big problem for the government to pursuer, but I hope the people of here can have the sense of how to protect CNMI – a beautiful island. Cheer up ~!!