OIA gives CNMI $181,048 to fight rhino beetle

Larvae of the coconut rhinoceros beetle are collected from a decaying coconut tree on Rota. (Contributed Photo)

The Office of Insular Affairs has awarded the Commonwealth $181,048 to help it fight the scourge of coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation on Rota.

Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres made the announcement yesterday, in coordination with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the CNMI Office of Grants Management.

In early October, DLNR discovered the presence of 20 adult rhinoceros beetles, Oryctes rhinoceros, and multiple grubs on Rota when a coconut tree fell to the ground at the Tweksberry Beach Park, southwest of the West Marina on Rota. The specimens were collected and sent to Guam for professional review, with a notification sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.  

Local measures were put in place immediately thereafter, with 14 rhinoceros beetle breeding traps were deployed by DLNR. This coincided with the Division of Agriculture, CNMI Forestry, CNMI Quarantine conducting an islandwide assessment to prevent further spreading. As a result, 30 coconut trees on Rota were flagged for rhino beetle habitation.

Upon learning of the rhino beetle outbreak on Rota, Torres noted that OGM and DLNR began the grant application immediately in order to address the issue.

“As soon as we heard of the situation, we immediately worked on the grant narrative and proposal with DLNR even while on official travel status,” OGM administrator Epiphanio E. Cabrera Jr. said. 

“We collaborated with the DLNR secretary, Invasive Species coordinator, and the resident director of DLNR-Rota and immediately submitted the grant proposal the next day. We understood and learned from our sister island of Guam that this threat should not be treated lightly; the matter had to be systematically controlled,” Cabrera added.

Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente said that DLNR acted quickly and reached out to all parties involved. 

“We sought funding assistance from the [OIA], who quickly jumped on the ball and hashed out much of their concerned details with the proposal and in two weeks, we received the great news. This news comes at an opportune time as Rota officials were concerned with the lack of supplies and equipment to continue their eradication and detection operations. Now is time to proceed with our plan of action with the governor’s direction,” Benavente added. 

While in Washington, D.C. for meetings with the White House and other federal departments, Torres met with Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs Douglas W. Domenech to emphasize the need for expedited funding to address the rhinoceros beetle problem on Rota.

“The rhino beetle problem was one of my main priorities in D.C. We underscored the needs of the people of Rota and the importance of Rota’s economy, which is primarily based on agriculture. The rhino beetle is an invasive species, a big problem for the Pacific Islands in general. It damages and kills coconut trees, which are vital for the people of Rota and its local economy. I thank…Domenech and OIA for their support. I also commend OGM, DLNR, Forestry, Quarantine, Agriculture, and the staff in Rota for their work,” Torres said.

The money OIA released to the CNMI would be used for rhino beetle detection, eradication, and preventative measures. (PR)