Leon Guerrero is named fisheries scholarship recipient

State Coordinator for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Floyd Masga, left, and Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente flank Keena C. Leon Guerrero. (Contributed Photo)

Keena C. Leon Guerrero has been selected as the 2019-2020 U.S. Pacific Territories Capacity Building Program scholarship recipient.

The CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources, in partnership with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Regional Office, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced Leon Guerrero’s selection yesterday.

Leon Guerrero was a recipient of the scholarship program during her undergraduate studies and has served as a fishery biologist under the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife and is currently the Fisheries Data Section supervisor.

Leon Guerrero reportedly plans to continue her graduate studies in the summer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

According to Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony T. Benavente, two previous scholarship recipients, Francisco C. Villagomez of the University of Guam and Carey Demapan of Hawaii Pacific University, have returned to serve DLNR’s fisheries programs.

“Fisheries education and community outreach is critical for our U.S. territories and island states. This program provides unique and rigorous educational programs and opportunities in marine science and fisheries and has allowed our local programs to grow. We are very grateful for this program and the opportunity to collaborate with universities throughout the Pacific and we’re confident this program will build more interest in protecting and cultivating our natural resources,” Benavente said.

In a letter, WPRFMC executive director Kitty M. Simonds commended Leon Guerrero for her continued interest in managing fisheries and related marine ecosystems.

Based on the availability of funds, the scholarship will cover tuition, room and board, books and supplies, fees, and personal expenses.

As a scholarship recipient, Leon Guerrero will be required to work under the CNMI DFW for one year for each year the scholarship is received.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said the U.S. Pacific Territories Capacity Building Program has given opportunities to U.S. citizens and nationals of American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI and Hawaii.

“This program has definitely bridged the gap for our CNMI scholars so that they can return to join our workforce. It has been a constant priority of this administration to cultivate the current and next generation’s interest in coming back to serve our islands, build our economy, and protect our environment. I sincerely thank WESPAC for their support and diligence in giving students the opportunity to sustain our local practices and our fisheries,” Torres said.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios added that this program started as a simple agreement between several local and federal agencies to recognize the importance of island cultures and traditional fishing practices in managing fishery resources.

“This program has come a long way to benefit local residents and agencies….I encourage other students who are passionate about marine resources to take advantage of this opportunity,” Palacios said.