New DLNR chief prioritizes endangered species survey
Seman
The first order of business for Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Seman is to sit down with the department’s resident directors on Tinian and Rota to discuss concerns about an ongoing endangered species survey on the two islands.
Although he has his own plans, Seman believes the resident directors “know what is best” for their areas of responsibilities, and that the DLNR is ready to allocate resources and time to these areas.
The DLNR chief said one of the topics for discussion is an ongoing endangered species survey that has raised a lot concerns, particularly in Rota.
“Remember that a survey is not just about number, but also about its social impacts,” Seman said.
He emphasized that he does not oppose the proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife regarding the endangered list, but the survey “has to be done properly.”
The official said a lot of the listings will impact Rota, where 11 out of the 23 endangered species identified by the U.S Fish and Wildlife are found.
This will require more thorough discussions between the DLNR and U.S Fish and Wildlife, Seman said.
“There is a need to be more engaged, and be more involved in the survey,” Seman said, adding that he wants to meet with U.S Fish and Wildlife representatives “as soon as possible.”
Seman said he is also set to attend a fisheries council meeting in Honolulu on March 14 to March 18, where he will also have the chance to meet with U.S Fish and Wildlife officials.
Buenas Secretary Seman,
If we continue to ignore our culture’s delicacies, we as a society would be on the endanger species list. All the food that we use to enjoy were being ban for consumption and are we all living in denial? We couldn’t believe that millions of dollars in the form of grants would deny us our heritage. No more turtles, fruit bats, and what else are you going to agree to ban from us.
Here we go again… have someone from outside assess our wildlife and tell us how to live on my own island….. we need to fight for native American rights.. Not like there are so many of us… if I can own land I have a right to keep doing what I’ve been doing regarding the wildlife… and of all the years of studies has there been follow up or we just protect the wildlife till they become pests… follow up on past studies and work with and for the people….
Also, Secraptary Seman, you twice got federal grants to open a fisherman’s coop. the first time you ran to guam not even two months after the coop opened to start your magazine. The second time you rented a space next to Toyota and I don’t know if it was open for even a month. Please, please explain yourself regarding what happened and make me understand. Because as for now You are proof that corruption and greed exists in our government. You have failed twice and left many people hanging that had high hopes for a fisherman’s coop on Saipan. and to those who appointed you in charge of DLNR. are either ignorant of your actions or are just as false to the people as you are… one day the indigenous people of the CNMI will have the freedom to fish and hunt as they did before all this conservation restrictions. Get it straight its not the indigenous people who were or are the cause of decimating the wildlife, it is the foreigners. look at the studies and fight for us… And if I had native American rites to fish and game. I would help in the monitoring of it so that only indigenous people may harvest….