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5-year moratorium sought on sali hunting
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Posted on Jul 07 2021
Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) has introduced a local bill that would prohibit for five years the hunting of the Micronesian starling—locally called the paluman sali—in the second senatorial district of Tinian and Aguiguan.
The sali is known for spreading hot pepper or doni seeds throughout the northern part of Tinian. The Tinian doni sali is believed to be the spiciest hot pepper in Micronesia.
“There is a correlation between the survival of the sali and the survival of our Tinian doni. Indeed, gut-passed hot pepper seeds emerge sooner and at a higher proportion than seeds from the whole hot pepper. I have filed House Local Bill 22- 15 in order to ensure the doni sali and paluman sali’s abundance [on] Tinian,” said San Nicolas.
According to HLB 22-15, the hunting of the Micronesian starling will be prohibited on Tinian until Jan. 1, 2026. The resident department head of the Tinian Department of Lands and Natural Resources, in consultation with the CNMI director of Fish and Wildlife, will be tasked with the enforcement of the law.
“I applaud Congressman San Nicolas’ vision for the continued bountiful harvest of the doni sali for present and future generations of hot pepper producers and consumers,” said DLNR resident department head Guillermo C. Borja.
“As this is a local bill, the Tinian delegation will hold a public hearing to allow stakeholders such as doni producers, farmers and ranchers to provide input on the proposal,” San Nicolas said.
The Pika Festival is held every February on Tinian to highlight and celebrate the unique heat and flavor of the Tinian hot pepper. (PR)
