95 



COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



practices in our islands. The study confirmed what we have al- 

 ways known, that for more than 3,000 years we have fished on the 

 high seas surrounding our islands, that our people are dependent 

 on fish for survival, that fishing has cultural, social and reli- 

 gious significance to us, and that we continue this fishing tra- 

 dition. 



13 



Considering the disruptive colonial history we have endured, 

 it is remarkable that these rights and traditions have survived 

 to the extent they have. One of our first acts as a Commonwealth 

 government was to codify our right to manage and control our 

 fisheries and other marine resources. We are glad to see this 

 Committee focus on the issue of indigenous fishing rights. 



STOCK ASSESSMENTS AND RECENT ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS 



We have watched with dismay the decline of the world's fish- 

 eries. The scientific consensus appears to be that the Western 

 Pacific tuna fishery is one of the few major fisheries in the 

 world that is not overfished, that is not in immediate danger. 

 We know it is only a matter of time before the world's fishing 



13 Id. at 1, 69-71. 



10 - 



