Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

NORMA adopts new fisheries enforcement regulations

Palikir, POHNPEI (NORMA/FSM Information Service): August 18, 2006 – The National Oceanic Resources Management Authority (N.O.R.M.A) has adopted two new Regulations to manage fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Regulations sets forth the responsibilities of vessels regarding the installation, maintenance and operation of their onboard Automatic Location Communicator (ALC) as part of the VMS.

These Regulations apply to all vessels required by the laws of the FSM, including International Treaties and Fishing Permits, to have an ALC onboard while fishing in the FSM EEZ.

In addition, the new Regulations also provide an alternative method of reporting fishing activities should an ALC malfunction.

Another new regulation is the Administrative Penalties Regulations which is intended to assist in the conservation of FSM marine resources by establishing a system whereby some fisheries violations may be cited and fined.

Violations that may be fined are those violations that are otherwise not specified in Title 24 of the FSM Code.

Adopted on August 14, the Regulations are proposed to take effect October 1, 2006.

Accordingly, a 30-day comment period is open for the general public to submit written comments to N.O.R.M.A from now until September 16, 2006 at the following address:

N.O.R.M.A
P.O. Box – PS-122
Palikir, Pohnpei 96941

Copies of the new Regulations are available at the local Post Offices, the National and State Courts, the Offices of the Governors and the FSM Department of Finance and Administration and the FSM Public Information Office.