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COMMONWELATH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Department of Lands and Natural Resources

Division of Fish & Wildlife Anthony T. Benavente, Secretary

Department of Lands & Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife, PO Box 10007 Lower Base, Across from Power Plant #1, Saipan MP 96950

Tel 670.322.9834; fax:670.322.2633

PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES,

DIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFE

INTENDED ACTION TO ADOPT THESE PROPOSED REGULATIONS: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Fish & Wild life ("DFW") intends to adopt as permanent regulations the attached Proposed Regulations, pursuant to the procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act, 1 CMC § 9104(a) . The Regulations would become effective 10 days after adoption and publ ication in the Commonwealth Register. (1 CMC § 9105(b))

AUTHORITY: The Department of Lands and Natural Resources is authorized to adopt rules and regulations in furtherance of its duties and responsibil ities. 1 CMC § 2654

THE TERMS AND SUBSTANCE: The proposed regulation prohibits the harvesting of certain sizes of fish species for commercial purposes.

THE SUBJECTS AND ISSUES INVOLVED: The proposed regulation prohibits the harvesting of certain sizes of fish species for commercial purposes.

DIRECTION FOR FILING AND PUBLICATION: The Notice of Proposed regulation shall be published in the Commonwealth Register in the section on proposed and newly adopted regulations (1 CMC § 9104 (a)(1) ) and posted in conven ient places in the civic center and in local government offices in each senatorial d istrict, both in English and in the principal vernacular. (1 CMC § 9104 (a)(1)).

TO PROVIDE COMMENTS: Send or del iver your comments to Anthony T. Benavente, DLNR Secretary, Re: S izes and Certain Species, at the above address or fax or number. Comments are due within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. P lease submit your data, views or arguments. (1 CMC § 9104(a)(2)).

These proposed regulations were approved by the DLNR Secretary on November 9, 2017 .

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COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040417

Submitted by:

Received by:

Filed and Recorded by:

Anthony T. Benavente Date Secretary of Department of Lands & Natural Resources

Date Governor's Special Assistant for Administration

I =2 ·If. 2017 Date

Pursuant to 1 CMC § 2153(e) (AG approval of regulations to be promulgated as to form) and 1 CMC § 9104(a)(3) (obtain AG approval) the proposed regulations attached hereto have been reviewed and approved as to form and legal sufficiency by the CNMI Attorney General and shall be publ ished, 1 CMC § 2153(f) (publ ication of rules and regulations) .

Dated the .LS-day of �017.

Attorney General

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COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040418

1. Part 600 Commercial Fishing Regulations

2. § 85-30 .1-601 Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to prohibit the taking or selling of fish species for commercial purposes.

3. § 85-30 1.605 Definition

Fish are measured using "Fork Length", which means the straight-line measurement from the tip of the snout to the midd le of the trailing edge of the tail. In fish that do not have a "folk" this measurement is the same as "Total Length". See diagram below:

How to Measure Fish

Measure Fork Length, the straight-line distance from tip of snout to middle of trailing edge of tail.

4. § 85-30 . 1-610. Exemptions

The regulation does not apply to fish harvested for non-commercial purposes.

5. § 85-30.1-615 Fish Size Restrictions

Fish size restrictions are established based upon the best available estimates of sizes at reproductive maturity of 50% of females for reef fish species that are commonly found in the local markets . The fish selected constitute high proportion of the market (by number and biomass) based on ongoing market surveys and have adequate data on size at reproduction. The initial list of reef species; their scientific, common and local names; and their minimum size requirements for commercial catch and sale are as follow:

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COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040418

Scientific Name Myripristis spp.

Naso Lituratus

Common Name Soldierfish

Orangespine Unicomfish

Blueband Surgeonfish

Acanthurus lineatus

Thumbprint Emperor

Lethrinus harak

Bluespine Unicomfish

Naso unicomis

6. § 85-30.1-620 Penalties

Local Names Min imum Size Sagamelon!Mweel 5. O inches

Hagon!Bwulaalay 5.5 inches

Hiyok/Fi laang 6 .5 inches

MafutiNVeyaw 8.0 inches

Tatagallgh-Falafa/ 10 inches

Violations of the Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wild life regulations shall be penalized in accordance with P.L. 2-51, Section 10, 2 CMC Section 5109, as amended.

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COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040420

COMMONWEALTH GI SANGKATTAN NA ISLAS MARIANAS Dipattamentun I Tanu' Yan Natural Resources

Division of Fish & Wildlife Anthony T. Benavente, Sekrit.�riu

Dipattamentun I Tanu' Yan Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife, PO Box 10007

Lower Base, Otru Bandan i Power Plant #1, Saipan MP 96950

Tlllfon: 670.322.9834; fax:670.322.2633

NUTISIAN PUPBLIKU PARA I MANMAPROPOPONI NA REGULASION SIHA PARA I DIPATTAMENTUN I TANU' YAN NATURAL RESOURCES,

DIVISION OF FISH & WILDLIFE

I AKSION NI MA'INTENSIONA NI PARA U MA'ADAPTA ESTI I MANMAPROPONI NA REGULASION SIHA: I Commonwealth gi Sangkattan na Islas Marianas, I Dipattamentun i Tanu' yan Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Fish & Wildlife ("DFW") ma'intensiona para u ma'adapta kumu petmanienti i regulasion i mafiechettun na Manmaproponi na Regulasion siha, sigun gi maneran i Akton Administrative Procedure, 1 CMC § 9 1 04(a). I regulasion siha para u ifektibu gi hfilum dies ( 1 0) dihas dispues di adaptasion yan pupblikasion gi hfilum i Rehistran Commonwealth. ( 1 CMC § 9 1 05(b))

ATURIDAT: I Dipattamentun i Tanu' yan Natural Resources ma'aturisa para u ma'adapta i areklamentu yan regulasion siha ni para u makatga huyung iyon-fiiha obligasion yan risponsibilidat siha. 1 CMC § 2654

I TEMA YAN SUST ANSIAN I P ALABRA SIHA: I manmapropoponi na regulasion ha pruhibi siha i rinikohi spesifikat siha na mineddung guihan ni manmcikokonm' para fma'tinas salftppi' na rason.

SUHETU NI MASUM.ARIA YAN ASUNTU NI TINEKKA: I manmapropoponi na regulasion ha pruhibi siha i rinikohi spesifikat na mineddung guihan siha ni manmakokonni' para fina'tinas salappi' na rason.

DIREKSION PARA U MAPO'LU YAN PARA PUPBLIKASION: I Nutisian i Manmapropoponi na regulasion debi u mapupblika gi hfilum Rehistran Commonwealth gi seksiona ni manmaproponi yan nuebu na ma'adapta na regulasion siha, ( 1 CMC § 9 1 04(a)(l)) yan u mapega gi kumbinienti na lugat siha gi halum i civic center yan i ufisinan gubietnamentu siha gi kada distritun senadot, parehu English yan prinsipat na lingguahin natibu. ( 1 CMC § 9 1 04(a)(l)).

PARA U MAPRIBENIYI UPrNON SIHA: Na'hanao pat intrega hfilum i upifion-mu para as Anthony T. Benavente, Sekritariun DLNR, Rason: Mineddung yan Spesifikat na Klasin Ga'ga' Siha, gi sanhilu' na address pat fax pat hagan. I upifion siha debi na u hfilum gi hfilum trenta (30) dihas ginin i fetchan i pupblikasion esti na nutisia. Put fabot na'hfilum iyo-mu infotmasion, upiiion, pat agumentu siha. ( 1 CMC § 91 04(a)(2)).

Esti i manmaproponi siha na regulasion manma' aprueba ginin i Sekritariun DLNR gi Nubembri 9, 20 1 7.

COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040421

Nilla 'hfilum �= �if� · AnthOilY. :Bern: ente Fetcha

Sekritariun, DLNR

S!IlRLE�-OGUMORO Rinisibi as:

f�/O�( 17 Fetcha

Ispisiat Na Ayudanti Para I Atministrasion

Pine'lu yan � Ninota as:

E-S-�HE

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S_B

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Rehistran Commonwealth

{2·1�'lol? Fetcha

Sigun i 1 CMC § 2 1 53( e) (I Abugadu Henerat ma' aprueba i regulasion siha na para u macho· gui kumu fotma) yan i 1 CMC § 9 1 04(a)(3) (hentan inaprueban Abugadu Henerat) i manmaproponi na regulasion siha ni mafiechettun guini ni manmaribisa yan manma' aprueba kumu fotma yan sufisienti ligat ginin i CNMI Abugadu Henerat yan debi na u mapupblika, 1 CMC § 2 1 53(f) (pupblikasion areklamentu yan regulasion siha).

Mafetcha guini gi diha / 2 , gi /kc.· 201 7

k�*-� tDWARD MANIBUSAN Abugadu Henerat

COMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 39 NUMBER 12 DECEMBER 28. 2017 PAGE 040422

COMMONWEALTH TEEL FALUW KKA E FANG LLOL MARIANAS Depattamentool Faluw me Natural Resources

Bwulasiyol Fish & Wildlife Anthony T. Benavente, Sekkret66riyo

Depattamentool Faluw & Natural Resources, Bwulaisyol Fish & Wildlife, PO Box 10007 Lower Base, Peighitiwel Power Plant #1, Seipel MP 96950

Til 670.322.9834; fax:670.322.2633

ARONGORONGOL TOULAP REEL POMMWOL MWOGHUT NGALI DEPATTAMENTOOL FALUW ME NATURAL RESOURCES,

BWULASIYOL FISH & WILDLIFE

MANGEMANGIL MWOGHUT REEL REBWE ADOPTAALI POMMWOL MWOGHUT: Commonwealth Teel Faluw kka Efang 1161 Marianas, Bwulasiyol Lands and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Fish & Wildlife ("DFW") re mangemangil rebwe ad6ptaali bwe ebwe lleghl6 mw6ghutughut ikka e appasch bwe Pommwol Mw6ghutughut, sangi Administrative Procedure Act, 1 CMC§ 9104(a). Ebwe bwungul6 mw6ghut kka 1161 seigh (10) raal mwiril aal akkateewow arongorongol yeel me 1161 Commonwealth Register. (1 CMC § 9105 (b ))

BWANGIL: Eyoor bwangil Bwulasiyol Lands and natural resources bwe rebwe ad6ptaali allegh me mw6ghut bwe ebwe teel6 mmwal reel peiraghil aar angaang reel lemelem me mw6ghutughutul. 1 CMC § 2654

KKAPASAL ME WEEWEL: Pommwol mw6ghutughutul ammwel me masamas yeel ebwe pileey attaw reel ffeerul selaapi.

KKAPASAL ME OUTOL: Pommwol mw6ghutughurul ammwel me masamas yeel ebwe pileey attaw reel ffeerul selaapi.

AFAL REEL AMMWELIL ME AKKATEEWOWUL: Ebwe akkateewow mw6ghutughutul Arongorongol Pommw me ll6l Commonwealth Register 1161 talil ffel me pommwol mw6ghutughut ikka ra ad6ptaalil (1 CMC §9104(a)(1)) me ebwe appascheta 1161 civic center me bwal 1161 bwulasiyol gobetnameento 1161 senatorial district, fengal reel kkasal English me mwaliyaasch. (1

CMC § 9104 (a)(l)).

ISIISILONGOL KKAPAS: Afanga ngare bwughi16 y66mw ischiil mangemang ngali Anthony T. Benavente, Sekkret66riyol DLNR, Re: Sizes and Certain Species, reel felefel iye weilang ngare fax ngare numuro. Ebwe toolong ischial mangemang 1161 eliigh (30) raal mwiril aal akkateewow arongorong yeel. lsiisilong y66mw data, views, ngare angiingi. ( 1CMC § 9104(a)(2)).

Aa atirow pommwol mw6ghutughut kkal sangi Sekkret66riyol DLNR w661 Nobembre 9, 2017.

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C:OMMONWEALTH REGISTER VOLUME 38 NUMBER 12 DEC:EMBER 28, 2017 PAGE 040423

I I I I I

I I I

lsaliyalong' �1f 1J An�. Benavente Ra a I Sekkret66riyol Bwulasiyol Lands & Natural Resources

BwughiyaJ, � SHIRiiY:CAMACHO-OGUMORO

t4DS/l 1 Ra a I

Laytil Gobenno Special Assistant ngali Administration

I J.. · / �. .?.o(J Ra a I

Commonwealth Register

Sangi 1 CMC § 2153(e) ( Allegh kkal e bwe lleghl6 sangi AG bwe e fil reel ffeerul) me 1 CMC §

9104(a)(3) (mwiir sangi aal lleghl6 sangi AG) reel pommwol mw6ghut ikka ra amwuri fischiiy me

aa lleghl6 reel ffeerul me legal sufficiency sangi Soulemelemil Allegh Lapalapal CNMI me ebwe

akkateewow, 1 CMC § 2153(t) (arongowowul allegh me mw6ghutughut).

Aghikkilatiw w661 ___ f_;'::::o C5°,,,. ____ raalil �. 2017.

EDWARD MANIBUSAN

Soulemelemil Allegh Lapalap

C:DMMDNWEALTH REGISTER VDLUME 3!3

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