Photo by Lori Lyn Lirio
Governor Ralph D.L.G. Torres signed a proclamation on 28th March declaring 2018 as the International Year of the Reef in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)!
Coastal Resources Management Director Janice Castro said the CNMI is participating in the worldwide celebration of coral reefs. “We want to bring more awareness about the value of coral reefs. In the CNMI, they are the cornerstone of the tourism industry,” she added.
The CMNI Coral Reef Initiative and the Division of Coastal Resources Management will team up to promote the economic, ecological and cultural importance of coral reefs by hosting a number of activities throughout the year. “A lot of these activities are geared toward the younger generation,” Castro said.
They will, for example, hold more snorkeling activities for children, she added. “We will bring them to the beach and we will have a biologist there so he can explain what coral reefs are and how important they are to our ecosystem.”
In addition, Castro said they will host eco camp activities including on Tinian and Rota. “We want to make the connection that what happens on land translates to what is going on in the ocean,” she added.
On Wednesday, the governor also signed a proclamation designating April as Environment Awareness Month. The proclamation aims to reinforce the people’s responsibility to maintain and protect the environment.
The governor said it is everyone’s responsibility and obligation to ensure that Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the Northern Islands remain clean with bountiful natural resources for present and future generations.
Original source: Marianas Variety