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COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



Throughout this period our Commonwealth declined to nominate 

 representatives to serve on the Western Pacific Regional Fishery 

 Management Council (WESPAC), lest such nominations be seen as 

 acquiescence in the federal claim to ownership of our fisheries 

 resources. The Commonwealth took this position, even though it 

 respected the expertise offered by the WESPAC and knew WESPAC 

 could provide valuable services for the conservation and manage- 

 ment of our fisheries. 



Much of this history was told by the honorable Vice Chairman 

 of this Committee and other Members of the Senate on the Senate 

 floor in 1990. The Vice Chairman and Senator Stevens noted that 

 these issues were under discussion in the Section 902 Consulta- 

 tions and expressed their hope that final agreement could be 



reached between the Federal Government and the Commonwealth and 



34 



codified into law. 



In 1992 Congress extended the Magnuson Act to the tuna fish- 

 eries. Tuna is the principal fisheries resource in our waters. 

 This amendment removed a major objection by our Commonwealth to 

 application of the Act to the Northern Marianas. Now, at least, 



34 



136 Congressional Record S14965 (daily ed. Oct. 11, 1990). 



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