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New fishing methods seen to increase yield
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Posted on Mar 28 2001
In hopes to improve potential yields of fishers in the Commonwealth, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources will hold a seminar on various fishing techniques.
DLNR Secretary Joaquin Tenorio said the Mid-water Vertical Longline Fishing Technique Training will be held next month to upgrade existing fishing methods used by CNMI fishers.
Highlights of the seminar include the use of Fish Aggregating Devices. According to Special Assistant on Correspondence Marianne Teregeyo, FADs are floating devices that can withstand strong currents or storm conditions and have a life span of five years in the ocean.
She added that at present, there are about nine FADs deployed in Commonwealth waters which include five around Saipan, and two each on Tinian and Rota.
Fishermen are often unaware of the potential yields that can be generated by fishing around FADs and may not know of suitable fishing techniques and the right gear or equipment to help them, said Ms. Teregeyo.
But all these problems will be addressed carefully in the forthcoming fishing workshop.
She added DLNR has invited an officer from the South Pacific Community Fisheries Development to conduct the training. The facilitator will arrive on Saipan in April and scheduled to stay on island for the next two months.
During his stay, periodic visitation on Rota and Tinian will be conducted. In addition, fishing trials at different FAD’s location will be held to determine productivity.
The workshop is collaborative effort of DLNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Secretariat of the South Pacific Community. (EGA)
