Slowdown bombings at Farallon de Mendenilla
Amid concerns on the impact of the US Navy bombing exercises in Farallon de Medinilla, the Division of Fish and Wildlife had recommended the cessation or reduction in bombing certain parts of the island to allow the extensive coral growth in the area.
However, the DFW believes that stopping the bombing in FDM would probably not contribute significantly to the enrichment of marine life already existing on the island.
The conclusions were contained in a report submitted by Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Michael S. Trianni on September 1, 1998 on the qualitative survey of the nearshore habitat of FDM.
Trianni joined the team that conducted the marine survey from July 8-10, 1997 which include the marine biologist contracted to the Navy, representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, no marine life assessment in FDM has so far been conducted again.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has expressed concern on the effect of the bombing on the environment as cliffside erosion could be accelerated due to repeated hits contributing to the sedimentation which could destroy the coral reefs as essential fish habitat.
In a letter to the Pacific Navy Command in Hawaii, Council executive director Kitty M. Simmonds, said they are worried about the safety of the fishermen in the area who may not have been adequately warned of a pending bombing.
Based on the observations made by Trianni when he joined the team that conducted the study, no reef fishery exists at FDM, although the survey showed some evidence of nearshore bottomfishing. Due to the large population of sharks in the waters surrounding FDM, local fishermen avoid spear fishing in the area, the report said.
As expected, the survey revealed that the sheltered side of the island was found rich in animal life. “It was noted that certain nearshore areas contained considerable amounts of suspended sediments, usually coincident with eroding cliff lines,” the report said.
It was also on this side of the island that bombings have greater impact on the nearshore fringing reef community. However, since FDM is a very narrow island measuring only one-and-a-half miles long, the entire fringing reef community will still be exposed to natural physical forces such as typhoons.
The reefs around FDM comprise the largest coral reef under federal jurisdiction in the U.S. Western Pacific Region, outside of the Hawaiian archipelago. Several commercial fishing operations are currently using the area and some fishermen believe that resources in these waters are being affected by the bombing.
In addition, the sheltered or lee side of the island exhibited the highest degree of coral growth. The collection of organisms on this area is more diverse and rich in animal life.
A large number of juvenile grey reef sharks were found on this side of the island which makes this area an important pupping ground for this species of shark.
According to the report, the highest densities of bomb were found near the middle of the sheltered of lee side of the island but no damage from bombing to the coral reef was documented.
“Near the SSW tip of the island, a shallow flat area was observed to have been damaged directly from a bombing event,” the report added.
During one of the dives made for the survey, Trianni observed over 50 species of fish from 16 families, a green sea turtle, sea urchins, giant clams and three types of sea cucumbers.
The area near the “window” or hole through FDM which is near the narrowest width of the island, exhibited low amount of coral cover, about 10 to 15 percent only. “There also existed large patches of alga growth or up to 70 percent coverage,” the report said.
For 28 years now, the US Navy has been conducting monthly bombing exercises at FDM following a lease agreement with the Trust Territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.
A preliminary environmental impact assessment was completed in 1975 and in late 1995, the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife and the United States Navy agreed to conduct biological surveys of FDM. The study was primarily aimed at assessing the terrestrial species compositions, distributions and carry out a marine survey to qualitatively determine the degree of impact from bombing on the fringing coral reef community.
The U.S. Navy is currently finalizing the environmental impact statement required by the Environmental Protection Agency on the military training in the Marianas. Results of the EIS will be released next month.
