Tomil Municipality Proposes Marine Conservation Area The people of Tomil Municipality on Yap Proper have proposed to declare their waters as a Marine Conservation Area (MCA) , according to a signed document by leaders of the Tomil community and Yap Community Action Program (YapCAP) which protects and manages the Marine Conservation Areas in the State. As mentioned in the document, fishing and other activities will be prohibited or regulated according to the rules set forth in the “Tomil Municipal Marine Management Plan” developed by Tomil. A copy of the documents on the proposed declaration, including a zoning map of the Marine Conservation Area, may be obtained from the Tamil Resources Conservation Trust also known as (TRCT). Interested individuals have 30 calendar days to submit their comments to the proposed declaration of the Marine Conservation Area. Submissions of comments shall be made no later than November 13, 2013, to TRCT President Peter Tharngan at P.O. Box 1415, email: emailtrct@gmail. President Mori Seeks Support From Yap State Leadership Through Governor Anefal And Speaker Falan PALIKIR, FSM (FSMIS, Oct. 23, 2013) — President Manny Mori wrote to Governor Sebastian Anefal and Speaker Henry Falan of the State of Yap on October 18, seeking the two Leaders’ support on “two of the most critical goals” facing the Federated States of Micronesia. The President has raised the level of alert on progress made on the projects for improving tax regime and telecommunication sector in the FSM. The bills for both of these projects have been under review by the FSM Congress. The passing [of] the various tax reform measures has proven to be more difficult looking at the number of years it has taken as doing so requires actions by all the law making bodies and subsequent executive review in the federation. “Both the Palau-Yap-Guam submarine cable system and the tax reform are on tight timelines and might fail if we cannot pass the necessary legislation promptly. As you may be aware, we are planning a Special Session of Congress for some time in November, and it is essential for us to make legislative progress on telecom liberalization and tax reform during that Special Session.” President Mori specifically inquired of the leadership of Yap State “if there is any way Yap State can reconsider its position on the tax reform and figure out a way to join in the FSM tax reform efforts”. He also stressed his commitment to work with Congress on necessary measures that will bring about internet cable connectivity to Yap. “I believe fiber optic connectivity and tax reform are both in the best interests of our country, and I look forward to working with the Yap State leadership and with Congress at the upcoming Special Session to make both projects a reality.” For further information, email [email protected]. Laboratory Equipment Donated To Natural Science And Mathematics Division PALIKIR, FSM (COM-FSM News, Oct. 22, 2013) — Laboratory equipment and supplies were donated to the National campus Division of Natural Science and Mathematics. The donations were made possible by former adjunct faculty member, Leslie Linkkila, which were received from Cindy Lewis of Galileo BioScience in Massachusetts and Dr. Jack King of High Desert BioScience in Arizona. According to division chair Dr. Kathy Hayes; these bioscience research products will help the division introduce analytical and preparative separations of nucleic acids into teaching laboratories. The donations included a large electrophoresis system and power supply, a separation media and pre-mixed running buffers. These donations will also help support special bioscience projects for COM-FSM students. Kidney Machines Transfer Awaits Response From Pohnpei State Government PALIKIR, FSM (FSMIS, Oct. 23, 2013) — Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President Manny Mori indicated to Governor John Ehsa in an October 18 communication that he is ready to transfer two dialysis machines from Chuuk Hospital to Pohnpei Hospital. “I am aware that the only functioning kidney replacement unit in the FSM is in Pohnpei. I thank the leadership and health department of Pohnpei for maintaining this unit. As you probably remember, the Government of Israel donated 2 kidney dialysis units to Chuuk Hospital a little over 2 years ago.” The President is ready to transfer the two machines with understanding of the Government of Chuuk since the Chuuk Hospital is not prepared to utilize the equipments. “In this era of Non communicable disease crises, one cannot emphasize more the importance of the preventive health and health promotion services. While we make sure that these areas are strong, we are also conscious of the importance of the appropriate management of NCD clients and provision of available services to manage the complications of the NCD’s.” he FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs along with Chuuk Hospital staff and staff from the Pohnpei kidney dialysis unit will pack the equipments for transfer to Pohnpei Hospital after official acceptance from the Pohnpei State Government is communicated. For further information, email [email protected]. President Mori Signs Outer Islands Airport Improvement Law And Two Other Measures PALIKIR, FSM (FSMIS, Oct. 23, 2013) — President Manny Mori said he signed three Congressional Acts into law today “grudgingly”. Congressional Act No. 18-21 and Congressional Acts No. 18-23 change the use of funds previously appropriated for public projects in Chuuk State and Pohnpei State. The former deals with funds originally appropriated during the 16th Congress under an allocation that became law on January 21, 2011. The latter deals with a public law that first became effective on June 15, 2012 during the 17th Congress. For both measures, the President pointed to the lack of committee reports explaining the rationale for shifting funds or changing their uses. He has consistently urged Congress to exercise more transparency in formulating their projects by conducting public hearing that would involve other parties who will play a role in implementing and receiving the projects and programs. The third item is Congressional Act No. 18-22, which has become FSM Public Law No. 18-22. The President expressed in his signing message: “The Congressional Act changes the use of $1,000,000 appropriated for capital project for the Outer Island Airport Upgrade in order to allow the Seaport Upgrade. Deep down in m y heart I know this amount of money is too small to upgrade both the seaports and airports at the same time. We are actively seeking ODA funding to satisfy both of these very essential infrastructures. I urge Congress to continue its funding support for these kinds of projects in the subsequent budget allocation. I thank Congress for passing the Congressional Act.” These new public laws will soon be available on the fsmcongress.fm site. For more information, email [email protected]. Update: PPUC Confirms Major Water Leak KOROR, Palau (Oceania TV News, Oct. 23, 2013) — After nearly two weeks of 24 hours per day searches in Koror and Airai, Palau Public Utilities Corporation’s Water and Sewer Division have discovered and confirmed a major leak underneath the Japan Palau Friendship Bridge. On October 18, the leak detection team confirmed the leak in a distribution line submerged under 100 feet of water. PPUC disclosed that the challenge in repairing this damage is that the main break is underneath a concrete saddle, which holds the water line in place. With the location of the leak confirmed, PPUC will begin assessing the extent of damage for repair. In the meantime, the daily water-rationing schedule that has been in place for over a week will continue until further notice. Some areas such as Ngerbeched and Idid have been experiencing water shut off as early as 5:00 pm instead of the 9:00 pm, which may indicate other leaks in the system. PPUC continues to encourage everyone to report any leaks for immediate repair. PPUC Rules Out Land As Source Of Water Leaks On October 16, the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) announced that Water and Sewer engineers have ruled out water pipes on land as source of the leak or sets of leaks that caused low water level at the Ngerkeseuaol Water Tank. Crews have now shifted their focus to underwater water pipes under the Japan Palau Friendship Bridge, which connects Koror to Airai State. On October 17th, Nick Swords, Water and Wastewater Operations’ Chief Operating Officer informed the PPUC Acting CEO and the PPUC Board that a possible leak of the transmission line under the bridge have been found. The leak of about 800 gallons of water per minute was detected through a series of exercises including the closing of the distribution and the transmission line of the Koror side of the bridge. The contractor who installed the line was scheduled to dive and inspect the problem. Upon the completion of his assessment, PPUC would have a better idea of the needed repairs. Meanwhile daily monitoring of water levels will continue. The water-rationing schedule remains in effect from 9 pm to 4 am daily until further notice. Bill To Ban Betelnut Imports In Marshall Islands MAJURO, Marshall Islands (MIJ/PACNEWS, Oct. 23, 2013) — A Marshall Islands Senator wants to introduce a Bill in the Nitijela to ban the importation and sale of betel nut in the country, reports the Marshall Islands Journal. The amendment, introduced by Senator Mike Kabua states clearly: “Importation, distribution and selling of bête lnut is prohibited.” While the current legislation allows people to import betel nut for “personal consumption” the amendment would block this, saying “no person shall import betel nut for personal consumption, sale or distribution.” It would also ban use and possession of betel nut by minors, and increases fines and jail sentences for violations. It would allow law enforcement officers to confiscate and destroy betel nut brought into Marshal Islands. It also offers incentive payments of 50 percent of fines for people who report violations—or law enforcement officers who do not enforce the law—that lead to successful prosecutions. The Marshall Islands Journal said the bill’s summary said the 2010 law aimed to allow personal use, but sought ban sales. “After more than two years (since) the passage of the law, the accommodation for personal consumption is now deemed problematic as people continue to illegally sell betel nut, and (increasingly) betel nut consumers are irresponsible and practice undesirable sanitary practices in public,” the summary said. “The only solution for better health, sanitary and environment practices is to impose a total ban on the importation of betelnut into the Republic. Reporting the officers who fail to implement the law provides an incentive for people to report, improving implementation of the law.”. Tuna Commission Looks To Electronic Monitoring Of Fishing Vessels POHNPEI, FSM (Radio New Zealand International, Oct. 24, 2013) — Electronic monitoring of longline fishing boats is being considered as an alternative to on-board observers. The executive director of the Tuna Commission says the observer program has been an effective way to ensure boats follow the regulations on the use of fish aggregation devices, but many boats don’t have them. In August, the United States fined boats with evidence provided by observers. But Professor Glenn Hurry says there are almost 3,000 longline vessels operating with a two percent observer coverage. “Observers and the skippers on the boats can put in their log sheets and their observer reports electronically so it’ll give us more real time information. But also to look at electronic monitoring so that you can actually use cameras on boats to actually record the activity on the longline vessels.” Professor Glenn Hurry says it won’t be tried on purse seine vessels as the commission doesn’t want to take the jobs away from Pacific island observers on those boats. Preserving Asia And The Pacifics Cultural Traditions CANBERRA, Australia (Radio Australia, Oct. 24, 2013) — Australian universities have developed a digital archive to help preserve languages in Asia and the Pacific. Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and countries in the Pacific are home to a quarter of the worlds languages. Many of the languages though are at risk of disappearing without a trace. To help preserve them and the cultural traditions of the Asia Pacific region, Australian universities have developed an extensive digital archive of precious material. The Australian National Universitys Professor Nicholas Evans has been at the forefront of the digital library known as PARADISEC, which stands for the Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures. ANUs Professor Nicholas Evans with villagers in PNG Photo: Professor Nicholas Evans from ANU with villagers in Bimadbn, Western Province, PNG, 2009 (Supplied) The goal of PARADISEC is to create a special, enduring digital archive for the languages and cultures of our region and that includes music, it includes story telling it includes a lot things other than just language itself, he said. (It) will be a secure repository that will hold things and which ultimately can be accessed by anyone. The collection is the culmination of a 10 year project between teams at the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University in Canberra. The University of Sydneys Professor Linda Barwick says the material was mostly created by linguists, musicologists and anthropologists, as part of their field work. Weve got something like 7,596 hours of recordings and theyre in over 600 different languages that come from all over the Asia Pacific region, she said. Often the recordings are unrepeatable from the 1950s and 60s - sometimes languages and music, musical traditions no longer performed or spoken. UN Recognition This year PARADISEC was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, as part of Australias significant documentary heritage. The University of Melbournes Dr. Nick Thieberger says the project team has been forging ties with institutions in the Pacific. Weve had good connections with the Institute of Papua New Guinea studies and the Vanuatu cultural centre and the Tjibaou Centre in New Caledonia, he said. At the moment, we have a funding application to work with the Solomon Islands Museum, who have some 800 tapes sitting in Honiara and not basically doing anything. But funding hasnt been easy to come by. Thereve been grants from the Australian Research Council but nothing long term. We stagger from deadline to deadline and improvised solution to improvised solution, Professors Evans said. We dream of the day when the Australian Government or maybe some philanthropist sees the deep value in what were doing and says look lets put you on a longer term footing. Dr. Thieberger says the material cant afford to be lost. Id say theyre priceless and unique, he said. Often theyre the only recordings ever made with a particular group of people. -END-
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:15:02 +0000
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