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COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



complexity of proper management and enforcement. I, for one, 

 would like to work with the WESPAC within the national fisheries 

 program under the Magnuson Act. But, in fairness, participation 

 should not require surrender of the fishing rights of our indige- 

 nous peoples . 



Now is the time for us to resolve this issue, before we ex- 

 perience a disastrous collapse of the kind that has struck the 

 New England fisherman. We must be allowed to retain these fish- 

 eries resources as one of the few assets upon which we can build 

 our economy. We have labored for many years to strike a workable 

 compromise. We respectfully request that the Federal Government 

 recognize our legitimate interest in these resources, and that 

 Congress legislate a practical program for cooperative conser- 

 vation and management of these fisheries resources. 



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