‘Toxic’ Misinformation Is Fueling A Pacific Marine Sanctuary Debate … The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s advisers oppose added protections for the waters around the Northern Marianas islands.
The proposal for a new marine sanctuary in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is facing significant pushback over fears it will clamp down on fishing.
Proponents say government leaders and a federal advisory group are muddying their message with misinformation about what an added layer of protections for CNMI’s 292,712 square miles of waters would actually entail.
Two panels that advise the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council voiced opposition to the sanctuary proposal earlier this month, saying it would remove fishing that is integral to the islands’ culture and food system. The Wespac panels joined CNMI Gov. Ralph Torres in his call to oppose the sanctuary proposal during its comment period, which ends April 25.
