FSM Information Services
Press Release
The National Oceanic Resource Management Authority’s Capacity to Implement the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Improved Through Public Law 21-93
PALIKIR, Pohnpei—On March 3rd, 2020, His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) signed Public Law 21-93, which amends Section 404 of Title 24 of the FSM Code, formerly amended by Public Law 19-169. The new law grants the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA) the capacity to exempt, on a case-by-case basis, certain gear types from the prohibition of fishing in the neighboring high seas pockets.
The FSM, through the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), collaborates with other Pacific Island governments in order to ensure fishing resources are sustainably exploited, including in the high seas pockets (i.e. ocean that doesn’t formally fall into the territorial jurisdiction of any single country, but is otherwise between the FSM and its Pacific Island neighbors).
“What this [amendment to the law] does is clarify that NORMA can exempt certain gear types from the prohibition on fishing in the high seas pockets,” said Mr. Eugene Pangelinan, Executive Director of NORMA. “The [former] law prohibits all gear types when in fact the [PNA] measure was only applicable to purse seine vessels. So, this [amendment to the law] improves NORMA’s ability to implement the [PNA] measures.”
“This law gives NORMA more tools and authority to take appropriate decisions for the good of our Nation’s fisheries sector; signing it into law is the easy part,” President Panuelo said. “I continue to be grateful for the leadership taken by [the Honorable Wesley W. Simina] and the 21st FSM Congress, and the close relationship we’ve built between the Executive and Legislative Branches.”
For more information about NORMA, please call +691-320/2700, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit their website at http://www.norma.fm/
