Penalties sought for Managaha polluters

Division of Public Lands Director Bertha C. Leon Guerrero has proposed penalizing those found polluting the planned Managaha conservation area in an effort to further safeguard fish and wildlife as well as marine resources thriving in the area.

Commenting on a bill offered by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, she said the measure fails to take into account the impact of pollution and vessel traffic around the popular tourist site on its marine life.

“Despite our false perception that waste and waste products seem to disappear once they are our of sight in the vast ocean waters, they seem to find their way near Managaha and are eventually consumed by precious marine life and ultimately, by humans,” said Ms. Leon Guerrero.

Imposing penalties on polluters, both government or private sector, will tighten enforcement of House Bill 11-500 or the Managaha Marine Conservation Act of 1999 that seeks to protect the rapidly-depleting resources of the small island.

The legislative proposal under review by the House Natural Resources Committee will designate the tourist site and its surrounding waters off limits to such activities as fishing and motorized boating in a bid to safeguard the historical and cultural significance of the area and its resources.

It will carry fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of not more than one year for violations of the proposed law which came after months of environmental assessment of the island.

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources shall be tasked to implement a strict management program to ensure that it continues to exist as protected recreational and educational areas; safe habitats for fish and other marine life.

Activities to be restricted by the measure include:

– fishing and harvesting other marine resources, except for seasonal runs of local fish species like atulai, i’i, tiao and manahak;

– use of fishing nets and other fishing equipment, except for the seasonal runs where talaya and rod/reel will be required;

– operating motorized watercraft within the boundaries of the area, except where designated by DLNR; and

– water activities.

According to the DPL chief, the proposed source of funding for the program — the $5 landing and user fees paid by ferry boats transporting tourists to Managaha — is not sufficient for its administration.

“[F]ees generated from the collection of landing/user fees depend on an industry that is cyclical in nature,” she explained. “[T]his source of revenue will fluctuate, as we have seen during the so-called economic crisis. The point is a more steady and reliable source of funding is necessary if the bill’s mission is to be continually sought.”

A major tourist attraction, the island has come under close scrutiny in recent months following concerns of possible erosion and damage to marine resources due to influx of tourists who flock to its beach to swim and snorkel as well as ride in such watercraft as banana boat.

Millions of dollars in revenues are generated each year from these tourism activities as more than 350,000 visit the island annually for a day trip that can cost around $60.

Managaha also was a center of controversy early this year because of the law that will favor locally-owned companies in operating concessionaires there.