Fitial attends Coral Reef Task Force meeting

  WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force held its 27th meeting on Feb. 23 at the Department of the Interior’s main auditorium. The opening ceremony was led by the task force’s co-chairs, Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife Eileen Sobeck and NOAA Director of External Affairs Andy Winer. They were joined by CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Guam Gov. Eddie B. Calvo, and American Samoa Gov. Togliola Tulafono.

In his opening remarks, Fitial lauded the task force for shifting this year’s focus toward the group’s watershed initiative, adding that watershed work in both CNMI and Guam are exemplary models and should be considered when developing future watershed partnerships. “I am delighted that considerable attention will be centered on the watershed partnership initiative,” said Fitial. “I am a strong supporter of the initiative for a plus-one watershed in the Pacific and would certainly like to see the process expedited since it has now been a year since we first discussed it.”

The governor also reported on the LaoLao Bay project that was funded through ARRA and in partnership with NOAA’s Habitat Restoration Center.

“I am pleased to report that the 0.4 miles of LaoLao Bay Drive has been paved and drainages have been improved along the road. Stream crossings are currently being improved as well and ARRA funding is being leveraged with EPA 319 funds,” said Fitial. “About 14-acres of deforested land in LaoLao Bay has been revegetated with support from community volunteers. A comprehensive ecological and water quality assessment of the LaoLao Bay has been completed, including an integrated assessment of ecological change since 1991.”

Fitial also discussed the importance of developing a Bleaching Response Plan for the islands. He indicated that the CNMI Coral Reef Program is partnering with NOAA to develop a bleaching response plan that will ensure preparedness in the event bleaching occurs in the CNMI. Such a plan will help local agencies prepare for appropriate action in the face of climate change including, but not limited to, bleaching events, storm damage, coral disease, and Acanthaster outbreaks.

Showing that the CNMI is taking the lead in conservation efforts, Fitial also touted the tremendous progress achieved at Rota’s Talakhaya Revegetation Project since 2006. Talakhaya is an area on Rota frequently burned by hunters to attract the sambar deer. However, the longstanding hunting method resulted in a massive erosion of the upland area and sedimentation ended up reaching into the adjacent coastal waters and coral reefs. Fitial was pleased to report that, “since 2006, we have revegetated an area of about 20 acres with over 100,000 grass and tree seedlings. During the course of this project, Talakhaya was also declared a conservation area by law. We have just recently completed a conservation action plan for this watershed in the hopes to continue its funding.”

The governor also lauded the CNMI Coral Reef Program’s L50 campaign, which educates fishermen to only catch fish that have grown to L50 size.

Local and regional concerns

While much has been accomplished conservation-wise, Fitial expressed grave concern about the listing of coral species on the Endangered Species List. “At last year’s meeting, we asked if a dialogue could be initiated before the compilation of this list. Today, I would like to request for an update on this issue that our respective jurisdictions should be aware of,” said Fitial.

He also said that aside from the subsistence and economic stability that it provides, the people of the Marianas have always had a very strong cultural connection to the ocean and the preservation of its ecosystems. Thus, conservation efforts remain a high priority of his administration.

Fitial announced that he has endorsed the Micronesia Challenge Sustainable Financing Plan, which includes a funding goal to help the region successfully achieve its commitment to effectively conserve its nearshore marine and terrestrial resources by 2020.

Moreover, as a staunch supporter of regional collaboration throughout Micronesia, Fitial came to the defense of the Republic of the Marshall Islands when he revealed possible threats to the island nation’s marine resources as a result of a federally funded dredging project near Majuro Atoll. “As a signatory to the Micronesia Challenge commitment and member of the Micronesian Chief Executives and this Task Force, I respectfully urge you to look at the impacts of the Majuro Airport construction and the damaging effects to near shore coral reefs.” (Office of the Governor)