Cyanide Fishing Act of 1999 (P.L. 11-112)

(HOUSE) COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Pedro Tenorio Governor Jesus R. Sablan Lt. Governor The Honorable R. Fitial Speaker, House of Representatives Twelfth Northern Marianas Saipan, MP 96950 Commonwealth Legislature Caller Box 10007 Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2200 (670) 664-221 1 JAN and The Honorable Paul A. Manglona President of the Senate Twelfth Northern Marianas Saipan, MP 96950 Commonwealth Legislature Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. President: This is to inform you that I have signed into law House Bill No. 11-492, entitled, "To prohibit cyanide fishing in the waters of the Commonwealth; and for other purposes," which was passed by the Eleventh Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature. I agree with the Legislature that a ban of cyanide fishing in the Commonwealth is crucial in order to preserve our marine life. I urge the Legislature to review the possibility of subsequent amendments which would expand the ban to include other chemicals and methods that are not only deadly to coral reefs and marine organisms, but also dangerous to human lives. This bill becomes Public Law No. 11-112. Copies bearing my signature are forwarded for your reference. Sincerely, CC: Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife Special Assistant for Programs Legislative Review . .. PL 1(-1 l z. GOV. COMM., 11- ,, , P. Fax: Benigno 1 8 2000 & HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELEVENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE AN ACT To prohibit cyanide fishing in the waters of the Commonwealth; and for other purposes. Offered by Representative: Manuel A. Tenorio Date: November 26,1999 HOUSE ACTION Standing Committee Report: None First and Final Reading: November 26,1999 SENATE ACTION Standing Committee Report: None Second and Final Reading: December 7,1999 PUBLIC LAW NO, 11~12 HOUSE BILL N0.11-492 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ELEVENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION, 1999 PUBLIC H. B. NO. 11-492 AN ACT To prohibit cyanide fishing in the waters of the Commonwealth; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE ELEVENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE: Section 1. Short Title. This act may be cited and known as the “Cyanide Fishing Act Section 2. Findings. The Legislature finds that there is an alarmingly increase of cyanide fishing in the Indo-Pacific Region. Cyanide fishing is a method in which fishermen harvest marine life by spraying such poisonous material into the coral reefs to stunt fishes and crustaceans, extract them by breaking apart the coral rocks, and finally, selling them in aquarium and live food markets around world. Although cyanide does not the marine life harvested, it and destroys the other life forms that inhabit and make up the coral reef. The demand for fresh seafood is at a high and a complete ban of cyanide fishing in the Commonwealth today will preserve our marine life for our future. To destroy coral reefs is to destroy the people’s veritable fish factories, their major source of food and provider of income. This is an industry that must be banned from feeding off the pristine waters of the The waters of the Commonwealth must be protected from this marine life genocide. of Section 3. General Provisions. “Definition. a) ‘Cyanide’ means compounds that include cyanide salts, such as sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide, which can be solids or in solutions, and the gas hydrogen cyanide (HCN), also known as hydrocyanic acid gas. b) ‘Cyanide fishing’ means a fishing method by use of cyanide compounds. Prohibited Acts. It is hereby prohibited in the waters of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the fishing method known as, cyanide fishing. The Division of Fish and Wildlife shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce the intent of this act. LAW NO. 11""112 1999." kill kills CNMI. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 LAW NO, HOUSE BILL NO. 11-492 Penalty. Any individual in violation of this act shall be fined not less than imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both.” Section 4. severability. If any provision of this Act or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby. Section 5. Savings Clause. This Act and any repealer contained herein shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired under contract or acquired under statutes repealed or under any rule, regulation or order adopted under the statutes. Repealers contained in this Act shall not affect any proceeding instituted under or pursuant to prior law. The enactment of this Act shall not have the effect of terminating, or in any way modifying, any liability, civil or criminal, which shall already be in existence at the date this Act becomes effective. Section 6. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. CERTIFIED BY: Speaker House of Representatives ATTESTED BY: EVELYN c. FLEMING ’Governor Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Page 2 • PUBLIC 11-.:-112 $10,000.00, ( / HouseC~ ~ this ~7 ~ 2000 JL...J ---,l--'> -½999