2019 Eskaleran Pula Chamorro Refaluwasch Papaal Maram

2019 JAN. 7, 2019–JAN. 24, 2020

Eskaleran Pulan Chamorro Re faluwasch Pápáál Maram

Chenchulu fishing for atulai/peti (bigeye scad) on Rota.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN TAISACAN.

About This Calendar The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has produced traditional lunar calendars for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) since 2007. The intent is to raise awareness about traditional ecological knowledge and enhance community involvement in fishery management. The calendar features previous contributions and advice from the CNMI lunar calendar committees (Chamorro: Adolfo S. Calvo, Anicet H. Mundo, Estanislao M. Taisacan; and Reafaluwasch: Lino Olopai and Cecilio Raiukiulipiy).

This 2019 Eskaleran Pulan Chamorro/2019 Refaluwasch Pápáál Maram highlights traditional fishing practices of the Chamorro and Refaluwasch, the indigenous people of the Mariana Archipelago.

Chamorro and Refaluwasch, along with English, are the official languages of the CNMI. The calendar provides traditional fishing information for a different species each month, highlighting methods, gears, seasons and legends. The Chamorro names

for the fish species, lunar months and moon phases are in black, and the Refaluwasch names are in green. The calendar reflects continued work with the CNMI community to create a calendar that recognizes the importance of island cultures and traditional fishing practices in managing fishery resources and to foster opportunities for their participation, which is one of the Council’s seven Guiding Principles.

The moon phases in this calendar are for Saipan as calculated by the HM Nautical Almanac (astro.ukho.gov.uk/websurf).

The tide charts with moon rise and set times are in Chamorro time for Saipan and were provided by OceanFun Publshing, NZ. Front cover photo: Sheela Saraff, who participated in the Council-sponsored Fisheries and Marine Science High School Summer Course, with the mafute’ (emperor fish) she caught outside the reef. Photo by Jack Ogumoro.

A publication of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council pursuant to NOAA Award NA14NMF4520236. © 2018, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council ISBN 978-1-944827-32-8

Umagahaf ‹› Tumur January

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

7

MON 6

R S

07:26 19:01 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

8

TUE

R S

6

08:12 19:51 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

9

WED 6

R S

08:55 20:41 N

6

Mesóól

10 THU

R S

6

January 7–February 5, 2019

Mesáfúú

09:36 21:29 N

6

11 FRI

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:15 22:17 N

6

12 SAT

R S

6

Mesátiw

10:52 23:04 N

6

13 SUN

R S

6

Emetan

11:30 23:52 N

6

14

R

MON 6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

12:08 N

6

15 TUE

S R

6

00:41 12:47 N

6

Epey

16

WED 6

S R

01:31 13:30 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

17 THU

S R

6

02:25 14:17 N

6

Olobwuwey

18 FRI

S R

6

03:23 15:09 N

6

Olomwaay

19 SAT

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:24 16:06 N

6

20 SUN

S R

6

05:27 17:09 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

21

MON 6

S R

06:29 18:14 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

22 TUE

S R

6

07:29 19:20 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

23

WED 6

S R

08:25 20:24 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

24 THU

S R

6

09:17 21:25 N

6

Sópásch

25 FRI

S R

6

Arosa

10:05 22:23 N

6

26 SAT

S R

6

10:50 23:19 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

27 SUN

3 2 1 0 -1

6

S

11:33 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

28

MON 6

R S

00:13 12:16 N

6

Osáláng

29 TUE

6

R S

Emwalú

01:06 12:59 N

6

30

WED 6

R S

Schomwan Fán

01:59 13:44 N

6

31 THU

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

February

-1

R S

02:52 14:30 N

6

1

FRI

6

R S

03:43 15:18 N

6

2

SAT

6

R S

04:34 16:07 N

6

Eyú

3

SUN

6

R S

Efeng

05:23 16:56 N

6

4

MON 6

R S

Ascaif

06:09 17:46 N

6

5

TUE

6

R S

06:53 18:36 N

6

In the old days, people caught botague/sapór (dorado, dolphinfish, mahimahi) and other pelagic fish by tying together coconut palms or bamboo rafts and deploying them outside the reef where it was not too deep to be anchored. These floating objects were anchored so they wouldn’t float away with the wind or current. After several days the fishermen would fish around these objects to catch mahimahi or other pelagic fishes using spears and gaffs. The deployment of these floating objects outside the reefs is similar to the modern day fish aggregation devices (FADs), which attract small fish which in turn attract larger fish for the fishermen to catch. Pictured above Capt. Carl Reyes of Podre de Familia and crew display their winning catch during the Mahimahi Derby. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Tumaiguini ‹› Méél February

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

6

WED 6

R S

07:35 19:25 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

7

THU

R S

6

08:14 20:13 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

8

FRI

R S

6

08:52 21:01 N

6

Mesóól

9

SAT

R S

6

February 6– March 7, 2019

Mesáfúú

09:29 21:48 N

6

10 SUN

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:07 22:36 N

6

11

MON 6

R S

Mesátiw

10:45 23:25 N

6

12 TUE

R

6

Emetan

11:25 N

6

13

WED 6

S R

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:16 12:09 N

6

14 THU

S R

6

01:09 12:57 N

6

Epey

15 FRI

S R

6

02:07 13:49 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

16 SAT

S R

6

03:07 14:47 N

6

Olobwuwey

17 SUN

S R

6

04:08 15:50 N

6

Olomwaay

18

MON 6

S R

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

05:08 16:55 N

6

19 TUE

S R

6

06:06 18:00 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

20

WED 6

S R

07:01 19:04 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

21 THU

S R

6

07:52 20:06 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

22 FRI

S R

6

08:39 21:05 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

23 SAT

S R

6

09:25 22:02 N

6

Sópásch

24 SUN

S R

6

Arosa

10:10 22:58 N

6

25

MON 6

S R

10:55 23:53 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

26 TUE

6

S

11:40 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

27

WED 6

R S

00:46 12:27 N

6

Osáláng

28 THU

6

Emwalú

Schomwan Fán

March

-1

R S

01:39 13:14 N

6

1

FRI

6

R S

02:30 14:03 N

6

2

SAT

6

R S

03:20 14:53 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

3

SUN

6

R S

04:07 15:43 N

3 2 1 0 -1

Mahimahi are curious fish, which make them vulnerable because they seek food at moving or stationary objects in the water.

6

4

MON 6

R S

04:52 16:32 N

6

Eyú

5

TUE

6

R S

Efeng

05:34 17:21 N

6

6

WED 6

R S

Ascaif

06:14 18:09 N

6

7

THU

6

R S

06:52 18:57 N

6

Sisi’ok/Sara (squirrelfish) is used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. It is used to heal people who became ill from swimming or canoe sailing across the ocean. People are served it during the last day of the healing process, which usually takes a week or two to complete. The fish is caught using fishing line, fish trap or spear. The fish is available year round, and harvesting it is best during low tide because the fish lives in deep waters.

Pictured are squirrel fish from the Northern Islands. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Maimo ‹› Máilap March

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

8

FRI

R S

6

07:30 19:45 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

9

SAT

R S

6

08:07 20:33 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

10 SUN

R S

6

08:45 21:22 N

6

March 8–April 5, 2019

Mesóól

11

MON 6

R S

Mesáfúú

09:24 22:12 N

6

12 TUE

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:06 23:04 N

6

13

WED 6

R S

Mesátiw

10:52 23:58 N

6

14 THU

R

6

Emetan

11:41 N

6

15 FRI

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:54 12:35 N

6

16 SAT

S R

6

01:54 13:34 N

6

Epey

17 SUN

S R

6

02:53 14:35 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

18

MON 6

S R

03:50 15:39 N

6

Olobwuwey

19 TUE

S R

6

04:45 16:42 N

6

Olomwaay

20

WED 6

S R

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

05:36 17:44 N

6

21 THU

S R

6

06:25 18:45 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

22 FRI

S R

6

07:13 19:44 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

23 SAT

S R

6

07:59 20:42 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

24 SUN

S R

6

08:45 21:39 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

25

MON 6

S R

09:31 22:35 N

6

Sópásch

26 TUE

S R

6

Arosa

10:19 23:30 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

28 THU

3 2 1 0 -1

6

R S

00:24 11:57 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

29 FRI

6

R S

01:15 12:47 N

6

Osáláng

30 SAT

6

R S

Emwalú

02:03 13:37 N

6

31 SUN

6

Schomwan Fán

April

-1

R S

02:49 14:27 N

6

1

MON 6

R S

03:32 15:16 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

2

TUE

6

R S

04:13 16:05 N

6

3

WED 6

R S

04:52 16:52 N

6

Eyú

4

THU

6

R S

Ascaif

05:30 17:40 N

6

5

FRI

6

R S

06:07 18:28 N

6

27

WED 6

S

11:07 N

6

Perhaps the most respected sea animal in the ocean, haggan/wong (green sea turtles) are harvested for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.

Turtle meat is also a delicacy and traditionally known as good for curing asthma, epilepsy and low blood pressure. Turtle eggs are said to increase young mother’s milk and keep babies strong and healthy. Turtle shells are used for traditional attire such as beads, bracelets and belts worn by high clans and navigators. They also provide protection from bad spirits. Pictured is Felix Sasamoto explaining about green sea turtles during the annual Saipan International Fishing Tournament. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Umatalaf ‹› Séétá April

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

6

SAT

R S

6

06:45 19:18 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

7

SUN

R S

6

07:24 20:08 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

8

MON 6

R S

08:05 21:00 N

6

Mesóól

9

TUE

R S

6

April 6– May 5, 2019

Mesáfúú

08:50 21:54 N

6

10

WED 6

R S

Mesáwan

09:38 22:50 N

6

11 THU

R S

6

Mesátiw

10:30 23:47 N

6

12 FRI

R

6

Emetan

11:26 N

6

13 SAT

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:44 12:25 N

6

14 SUN

S R

6

01:42 13:26 N

6

Epey

15

MON 6

S R

02:36 14:27 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

16 TUE

S R

6

03:27 15:28 N

6

Olobwuwey

17

WED 6

S R

04:15 16:28 N

6

Olomwaay

18 THU

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

05:02 17:26 N

6

19 FRI

S R

6

05:47 18:25 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

20 SAT

S R

6

06:33 19:22 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

21 SUN

S R

6

07:19 20:20 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

22

MON 6

S R

08:07 21:17 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

23 TUE

S R

6

08:56 22:12 N

6

Sópásch

24

WED 6

S R

Arosa

09:47 23:06 N

6

25 THU

S R

6

10:38 23:57 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

26 FRI

6

S

11:30 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

27 SAT

6

R S

00:44 12:20 N

6

Osáláng

28 SUN

6

R S

Emwalú

01:29 13:10 N

6

29

MON 6

R S

Schomwan Fán

02:10 13:59 N

6

30 TUE

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Turtles in the CNMI usually mate in March and April and from May to July. Then in October and November, the females go on land to lay their eggs.

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

May

-1

R S

02:50 14:46 N

6

1

WED 6

R S

03:28 15:34 N

6

2

THU

6

R S

04:05 16:22 N

6

Eyú

3

FRI

6

R S

Efeng

04:43 17:11 N

6

4

SAT

6

R S

Ascaif

05:21 18:01 N

6

5

SUN

6

R S

06:02 18:54 N

6

Mahongang/Yuur (lobsters) are traditionally caught during the full moon from May to June. They’re caught using green coconut leaves, which float on the water and attract the lobsters. A cultural aspect of this delicacy is that when one wants to learn something from the elders, he or she would use this technique to catch lobsters to share with the person from whom they wished to gain knowledge. After the lobster is cooked and shared, the lesson will begin. Pictured is the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife measuring confiscated lobsters.

Lumuhu ‹› Naa May

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

6

MON 6

R S

06:46 19:48 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

7

TUE

R S

6

07:34 20:45 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

8

WED 6

R S

08:26 21:43 N

6

May 6–June 3, 2019

Mesóól

9

THU

R S

6

Mesáfúú

09:21 22:41 N

6

10 FRI

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:20 23:37 N

6

11 SAT

R

6

Mesátiw

11:20 N

6

12 SUN

S R

6

Emetan

00:31 12:21 N

6

13

MON 6

S R

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

01:23 13:20 N

6

14 TUE

S R

6

02:11 14:18 N

6

Epey

15

WED 6

S R

02:57 15:15 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

16 THU

S R

6

03:41 16:12 N

6

Olobwuwey

17 FRI

S R

6

04:25 17:09 N

6

Olomwaay

18 SAT

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

05:10 18:06 N

6

19 SUN

S R

6

05:57 19:02 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

20

MON 6

S R

06:45 19:59 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

21 TUE

S R

6

07:36 20:54 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

22

WED 6

S R

08:27 21:47 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

23 THU

S R

6

09:19 22:37 N

6

Sópásch

24 FRI

S R

6

Arosa

10:11 23:23 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

26 SUN

3 2 1 0 -1

6

R S

00:07 11:51 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

27

MO N 6

R S

00:47 12:39 N

6

Osáláng

28 TUE

6

R S

Emwalú

01:25 13:27 N

6

29

WED 6

R S

Schomwan Fán

02:02 14:14 N

6

30 THU

6

R S

02:39 15:02 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

31 FRI

6

June

-1

R S

03:17 15:51 N

6

1

SAT

6

R S

03:57 16:43 N

6

Eyú

2

SUN

6

R S

Ascaif

04:40 17:37 N

6

3

MON 6

R S

05:26 18:35 N

6

25 SAT

6

S

11:02 N

6

GĂĄdao/Saiyaw (grouper) is caught for chiefs when they have ceremonies to welcome new chiefs. The ceremony is usually held during calm season in the summer and at full moon. The fish is usually big, with some weighing more than 500 pounds. Only chiefs and the elders are allowed to eat this fish. If the fish is smaller, it is shared with the people in the communities.

The fish is prepared in many ways, depending on one’s preference.

PHOTO OF MOON COURTESY OF RICHARD GOH.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES BORJA

Makmamao ‹› Ghúúw June

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

4

TUE

R S

6

06:17 19:33 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

5

WE D 6

R S

07:13 20:33 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

6

THU

R S

6

08:12 21:31 N

6

Mesóól

7

FRI

R S

6

Mesáfúú

09:13 22:28 N

6

8

SAT

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:15 23:20 N

June 4–July 3, 2019

6

9

SUN

R

6

Mesátiw

11:15 N

6

10

MON 6

S R

Emetan

00:10 12:14 N

6

11 TUE

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:56 13:10 N

6

12

WED 6

S R

01:40 14:06 N

6

Epey

13 THU

S R

6

02:23 15:01 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

14 FRI

S R

6

03:06 15:57 N

6

Olobwuwey

15 SAT

S R

6

03:51 16:52 N

6

Olomwaay

16 SUN

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:38 17:48 N

6

17

MON 6

S R

05:27 18:44 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

18 TUE

S R

6

06:17 19:38 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

19

WED 6

S R

07:10 20:29 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

20 THU

S R

6

08:02 21:17 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

21 FRI

S R

6

08:53 22:02 N

6

Sópásch

22 SAT

S R

6

Arosa

09:44 22:43 N

6

23 SUN

S R

6

10:32 23:23 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

24

MO N 6

3 2 1 0 -1

S R

11:20 00:00 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

25 TUE

6

S

12:07 N

6

Osáláng

26

WED 6

R S

Emwalú

00:36 12:54 N

6

27 THU

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

01:13 13:42 N

6

28 FRI

6

R S

01:51 14:32 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

29 SAT

6

R S

02:32 15:24 N

6

30 SUN

6

Eyú

Efeng

July

-1

R S

03:16 16:20 N

6

1

MON 6

R S

04:05 17:18 N

6

2

TUE

6

R S

Ascaif

04:59 18:19 N

6

3

WED 6

R S

05:58 19:19 N

6

Tarakitu/Etam (trevally) is culturally important for its role during the seasonal runs for goatfish and rabbitfish. The fish is known for chasing these juvenile fishes to shore where fishermen catch them with throw nets. Because of this role, the people usually do not catch them during April to July or when these juvenile fishes make their runs. Those who disobeyed this rule would get scolded, especially by the talayeros (throw-net fishermen) who catch these juvenile fishes along the beach. Pictured is Richard Ogumoro with a big trevally caught in the Northern Islands. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Mananaf ‹› Uul July

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

4

THU

R S

6

07:00 20:18 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

5

FRI

R S

6

08:03 21:13 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

6

SAT

R S

6

09:06 22:05 N

6

July 4–August 1, 2019

Mesóól

7

SUN

R S

6

Mesáfúú

10:07 22:54 N

6

8

MON 6

R S

Mesáwan

11:06 23:39 N

6

9

TUE

R

6

Mesátiw

12:02 N

6

10

WED 6

S R

Emetan

00:23 12:57 N

6

11 THU

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

01:06 13:52 N

6

12 FRI

S R

6

01:50 14:47 N

6

Epey

13 SAT

S R

6

02:35 15:42 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

14 SUN

S R

6

03:22 16:37 N

6

Olobwuwey

15

MO N 6

S R

04:12 17:31 N

6

Olomwaay

16 TUE

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

05:03 18:22 N

6

17

WE D 6

S R

05:55 19:12 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

18 THU

S R

6

06:46 19:58 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

19 FRI

S R

6

07:37 20:40 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

20 SAT

S R

6

08:26 21:20 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

21 SUN

S R

6

09:14 21:58 N

6

Sópásch

22

MON 6

S R

Arosa

10:01 22:35 N

6

3 2 1 0

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

24

WED 6

3 2 1 0 -1

S R

11:35 23:48 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

25 THU

6

S

12:23 N

6

Osáláng

26 FRI

6

R S

Emwalú

00:26 13:13 N

6

27 SAT

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

01:08 14:06 N

6

28 SUN

6

R S

01:53 15:02 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

29

MON 6

R S

02:44 16:01 N

6

30 TUE

6

R S

03:40 17:02 N

6

Eyú

31

WED 6

Ascaif

August

-1

R S

04:40 18:02 N

6

1

THU

6

R S

05:44 18:59 N

6

23 TUE

6

S R

10:48 23:11 N

6

Hachuman/PayĂşr (mackerel scad) is a tasty fish to eat, be it fried, boiled or pickled. It is caught using a poiu (fishing stone). The poiu is made of a spherical sinker of limestone that has been smoothed into the shape of an egg and bored with holes. On top of it, an inverted half coconut shell about the same size or slightly smaller than the limestone is attached with cordage. The coconut half is filled with mashed or ground meat of young coconut, similar to chum, to attract the fish. The device is tied with a longer cord about 50 or 60 feet in length so it can be lowered into deeper water to feed the fish. The poiu is first placed on the sea bed and then moved closer to the surface over a period of about a month. The fish are eventually caught with a scoop net when they reach the surface. NOAA PHOTO BY LT. CMDR. ERIC JOHNSON

Semo ‹› Elúyél August

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

2

FRI

R S

6

06:49 19:54 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

3

SAT

R S

6

07:53 20:46 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

4

SUN

R S

6

08:55 21:34 N

6

August 2–30, 2019

Mesóól

5

MON 6

R S

Mesáfúú

09:54 22:20 N

6

6

TUE

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:51 23:04 N

6

7

WED 6

R S

Mesátiw

11:47 23:48 N

6

8

THU

R

6

Emetan

12:43 N

6

9

FRI

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:33 13:38 N

6

10 SAT

S R

6

01:20 14:33 N

6

Epey

11 SUN

S R

6

02:09 15:26 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

12

MON 6

S R

02:59 16:18 N

6

Olobwuwey

13 TUE

S R

6

03:50 17:08 N

6

Olomwaay

14

WED 6

S R

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:41 17:55 N

6

15 THU

S R

6

05:32 18:38 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

16 FRI

S R

6

06:22 19:19 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

17 SAT

S R

6

07:10 19:58 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

18 SUN

S R

6

07:58 20:34 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

19

MON 6

S R

08:44 21:11 N

6

Sópásch

20 TUE

S R

6

Arosa

09:31 21:47 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

22 THU

3 2 1 0 -1

6

S R

11:06 23:03 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

23 FRI

6

S R

11:57 23:46 N

6

Osáláng

24 SAT

6

S

Emwalú

12:50 N

6

25 SUN

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

00:33 13:46 N

6

26

MON 6

R S

01:25 14:44 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

27 TUE

6

R S

02:22 15:44 N

6

28

WED 6

R S

03:23 16:43 N

6

Eyú

29 THU

6

R S

Ascaif

04:27 17:39 N

6

30 FRI

6

R S

05:32 18:33 N

6

21

WED 6

S R

10:18 22:24 N

6

Tiรกo/Wischigh (goatfish) is a fish that is culturally harvested throughout its life cycle both as a juvenile and an adult. It is harvested by nets, gigao (traps) and spear. During its juvenile run, people go to the beaches with cast nets and pole and line to catch them. The best time to catch this juvenile fish are from April to July. Tiรกo is deep fried or prepared as anestukun (salt pickle) or kelaguin (similar to ceviche). Pictured is a young talayero with his catch during the Marianas Fishing and Seafood Festival. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Tenhos ‹› Maal August

31 SAT

Sinahi Dos • Eling

September

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

R S

6

06:36 19:22 N

6

1

SUN

R S

6

07:38 20:10 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

2

MON 6

R S

08:38 20:57 N

6

August 31–September 29, 2019

Mesóól

3

TUE

R S

6

Mesáfúú

09:37 21:42 N

6

4

WED 6

R S

Mesáwan

10:34 22:29 N

6

5

THU

R S

6

Mesátiw

11:31 23:16 N

6

6

FRI

R

6

Emetan

12:27 N

6

7

SAT

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:05 13:22 N

6

8

SUN

S R

6

00:55 14:15 N

6

Epey

9

MON 6

S R

01:46 15:06 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

10 TUE

S R

6

02:38 15:53 N

6

Olobwuwey

11

WED 6

S R

03:29 16:37 N

6

Olomwaay

12 THU

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:19 17:19 N

6

13 FRI

S R

6

05:07 17:58 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

14 SAT

S R

6

05:55 18:35 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

15 SUN

S R

6

06:42 19:11 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

16

MON 6

S R

07:28 19:47 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

17 TUE

S R

6

08:15 20:24 N

6

Sópásch

18

WED 6

S R

Arosa

09:03 21:02 N

6

19 THU

S R

6

09:52 21:43 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

20 FRI

3 2 1 0 -1

6

S R

10:44 22:28 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

21 SAT

6

S R

11:38 23:16 N

6

Osáláng

22 SUN

6

S

Emwalú

12:34 N

6

23

MON 6

R S

Schomwan Fán

00:10 13:31 N

6

24 TUE

6

R S

01:07 14:28 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

25

WED 6

R S

02:08 15:24 N

6

26 THU

6

R S

03:11 16:18 N

6

Eyú

27 FRI

6

R S

Efeng

04:14 17:09 N

6

28 SAT

6

R S

Ascaif

05:17 17:57 N

6

29 SUN

6

R S

06:18 18:44 N

6

Atulai/Peti (bigeye scad) is a seasonal run fish which usually swims in schools when they visit the islands or as they make their way south, passing Saipan on their way to the islands of Tinian, Rota and Guam, the southernmost island in the Mariana Archipelago. In the old days these fish would come into the lagoon and stay for up to three months. Fishermen would use chenchulu (a traditional surround net) to catch them for subsistence purposes.

The catch would then be distributed to the people in the community. Today, with so many activities occurring inside Saipan’s lagoon, the atulai hardly come in the lagoon anymore. Fishermen catch them outside the reef using pole and line during their seasonal runs. Human activities and pollution from men and nature are exacerbating the demise of this cultural fishing practice. Pictured are Tanapag fishermen demonstrating the use of chenchulu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CNMI DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

Lumamlam ‹› Itch 30

MON 6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

October

September

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

R S

07:19 19:31 N

6

1

TUE

R S

6

08:19 20:18 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

2

WED 6

R S

09:18 21:07 N

6

Mesóól

3

THU

R S

6

September 30–October 28, 2019

Mesáfúú

10:17 21:56 N

6

4

FRI

R S

6

Mesáwan

11:14 22:48 N

6

5

SAT

R S

6

Mesátiw

12:09 23:40 N

6

6

SUN

R

6

Emetan

13:01 N

6

7

MON 6

S R

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:33 13:50 N

6

8

TUE

S R

6

01:24 14:36 N

6

Epey

9

WED 6

S R

02:15 15:18 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

10 THU

S R

6

03:04 15:58 N

6

Olobwuwey

11 FRI

S R

6

03:52 16:35 N

6

Olomwaay

12 SAT

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:39 17:12 N

6

13 SUN

S R

6

05:25 17:48 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

14

MON 6

S R

06:12 18:24 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

15 TUE

S R

6

07:00 19:02 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

16

WED 6

S R

07:49 19:43 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

17 THU

S R

6

08:40 20:26 N

6

Sópásch

18 FRI

S R

6

Arosa

09:34 21:13 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

20 SUN

3 2 1 0 -1

6

S R

11:25 22:59 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

21

MO N 6

S R

12:21 23:58 N

6

Osáláng

22 TUE

6

S

Emwalú

13:16 N

6

23

WED 6

R S

Schomwan Fán

00:58 14:08 N

6

24 THU

6

R S

01:59 14:58 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

25 FRI

6

R S

02:59 15:46 N

6

26 SAT

6

R S

03:59 16:33 N

6

Eyú

27 SUN

6

R S

Ascaif

04:59 17:19 N

6

28

MON 6

R S

05:59 18:06 N

6

19 SAT

6

S R

10:29 22:04 N

6

Buri’/Fofo (rainbow runner) is caught using shark meat for bait. Sometimes the entire shark carcass is tied below the boat. The fishermen would also squeeze the shark liver, as its juice attracts the fish. The best time to catch rainbow runner is between October and February when the water is choppy or rough. Mothers who just gave birth would usually eat buri’/fofo for at least four days so she and the baby would be strong and healthy.

Pictured are rainbow runner from the Northern Islands. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Fanggualo’ ‹› Sarobwél 29 TUE

R S

6

06:59 18:53 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

30

WE D 6

R S

07:59 19:43 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

31 THU

Mesóól

Mesáfúú

November

October

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

R S

6

08:59 20:35 N

6

1

FRI

R S

6

October 29–November 27, 2019

09:57 21:29 N

6

2

SAT

R S

6

Mesáwan

10:52 22:23 N

6

3

SUN

R S

6

Mesátiw

11:44 23:16 N

6

4

R

MON 6

Emetan

12:32 N

6

5

TUE

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:08 13:16 N

6

6

WED 6

S R

00:59 13:56 N

6

Epey

7

THU

S R

6

01:47 14:35 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

8

FRI

S R

6

02:34 15:11 N

6

Olobwuwey

9

SAT

S R

6

03:21 15:47 N

6

Olomwaay

10 SUN

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:07 16:23 N

6

11

MON 6

S R

04:55 17:01 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

12 TUE

S R

6

05:44 17:41 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

13

WED 6

S R

06:35 18:23 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

14 THU

S R

6

07:29 19:10 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

15 FRI

S R

6

08:24 20:00 N

6

Sópásch

16 SAT

S R

6

Arosa

09:21 20:55 N

6

17 SUN

S R

6

10:17 21:53 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

18

MON 6

3 2 1 0 -1

S R

11:12 22:52 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

19 TUE

6

S R

12:05 23:51 N

6

Osáláng

20

WED 6

S

Emwalú

12:54 N

6

21 THU

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

00:50 13:41 N

6

22 FRI

6

R S

01:48 14:26 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

23 SAT

6

R S

02:46 15:11 N

6

24 SUN

6

R S

03:44 15:56 N

6

Eyú

25

MON 6

R S

Efeng

04:42 16:42 N

6

26 TUE

6

R S

Ascaif

05:41 17:30 N

6

27

WED 6

R S

06:41 18:21 N

6

Palakse’/Oscha (parrotfish) is caught year round using pole and line with hermit crab for bait. The fish is given to children and elders or senior citizens because of its soft meat. The fish liver when cooked in young coconut milk, especially over an open fire, is also a healthy and delicious form of baby food.

Pictured are spear fishermen with their catch during the Marianas Fishing and Seafood Festival. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Sumongsong ‹› Oromoi 28 THU

R S

6

07:40 19:14 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

29 FRI

R S

6

08:38 20:09 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

30 SAT

Mesóól

Mesáfúú

December

November

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

R S

6

09:33 21:04 N

6

1

SUN

R S

6

November 28–December 26, 2019

10:24 21:58 N

6

2

MON 6

R S

Mesáwan

11:10 22:50 N

6

3

TUE

R S

6

Mesátiw

11:53 23:41 N

6

4

R

WED 6

Emetan

12:32 N

6

5

THU

S R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

00:28 13:09 N

6

6

FRI

S R

6

01:14 13:45 N

6

Epey

7

SAT

S R

6

02:00 14:21 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

8

SUN

S R

6

02:47 14:58 N

6

Olobwuwey

9

MON 6

S R

03:36 15:36 N

6

Olomwaay

10 TUE

S R

6

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:26 16:18 N

6

11

WED 6

S R

05:19 17:03 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

12 THU

S R

6

06:14 17:53 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

13 FRI

S R

6

07:12 18:47 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

14 SAT

S R

6

08:10 19:45 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

15 SUN

S R

6

09:07 20:45 N

6

Sópásch

16

MON 6

S R

Arosa

10:02 21:46 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

18

WED 6

3 2 1 0 -1

S R

11:40 23:44 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

19 THU

6

S

12:26 N

6

Osáláng

20 FRI

6

R S

Emwalú

00:40 13:09 N

6

21 SAT

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

01:36 13:52 N

6

22 SUN

6

R S

02:33 14:36 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

23

MON 6

R S

03:30 15:22 N

6

24 TUE

6

R S

04:28 16:11 N

6

Eyú

25

WED 6

R S

Ascaif

05:26 17:02 N

6

26 THU

6

R S

06:24 17:56 N

6

17 TUE

6

S R

10:53 22:45 N

6

GĂĽga/Mach (flying fish) is caught on the open ocean using a coconut shell that is tied to a small wooden object having the shape of a boomerang.

The wood has a hole in the center for the bait, which is usually coconut meat. A 4-foot piece of string connects the shell and the wooden object, before they are deployed. Once the fish bites and swallows the bait, the wooden object gets stuck in the fish’s mouth and the fish is unable to swim away.

This fishing practice has two important lessons: one it allows the young fishermen to begin experiencing fishing far away from land and another is for them to start developing their physical and mental strength to paddle their canoes two to three miles out in the open water before returning home.

NOAA FISHERIES PHOTO BY BERNARDO ALPS

Umayangan ‹› Schoow 27 FRI

R S

6

07:20 18:51 N

6

Sinahi Dos • Eling

28 SAT

R S

6

08:13 19:46 N

6

Sinahi Tres • Meseling

29 SUN

R S

6

09:02 20:39 N

6

Mesóól

30

MON 6

R S

Mesáfúú

09:47 21:31 N

6

31 TUE

Mesáwan

Mesátiw

January

December

Sinahi Uno • Sighauru

December 27, 2019–January 24, 2020

R S

6

10:28 22:21 N

6

1

WED 6

R S

11:06 23:09 N

6

2

THU

R S

6

Emetan

11:43 23:55 N

6

3

FRI

R

6

Kuåtto Presente Eschúw

12:18 N

6

4

SAT

S R

6

00:41 12:54 N

6

Epey

5

SUN

S R

6

01:26 13:31 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Arobwoghúw

6

MON 6

S R

02:15 14:10 N

6

Olobwuwey

7

TUE

S R

6

03:06 14:53 N

6

Olomwaay

8

WED 6

S R

Gualåfon Umang Emmasch

04:00 15:41 N

6

9

THU

S R

6

04:57 16:33 N

6

Gualåfon • Úúr

10 FRI

S R

6

05:56 17:31 N

6

Henemhon Uno Letiw

11 SAT

S R

6

06:55 18:32 N

6

Henemhom Dos Ghiney

12 SUN

S R

6

07:52 19:34 N

6

Henemhon Tres • Ara

13

MON 6

S R

08:46 20:36 N

6

Sópásch

14 TUE

S R

6

Arosa

09:37 21:37 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Kuåtto Menguante Arosan Efnágh

16 THU

3 2 1 0 -1

6

S R

11:09 23:32 N

6

Sópásch Me Emwiir

17 FRI

6

S

11:52 N

6

Osáláng

18 SAT

6

R S

Emwalú

00:29 12:36 N

6

19 SUN

6

R S

Schomwan Fán

01:25 13:20 N

6

20

MON 6

R S

02:21 14:07 N

6

Hinecog • Arofú

Afánágh

21 TUE

6

R S

03:18 14:56 N

6

22

WED 6

R S

04:15 15:48 N

6

Eyú

23 THU

6

R S

Ascaif

05:11 16:42 N

6

24 FRI

6

R S

06:05 17:36 N

6

15

WED 6

S R

10:24 22:35 N

6

About the Council

Tanapag fishermen preparing to go chenchulu fishing. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council was established by Congress in 1976 to manage fisheries in the offshore waters surrounding Guam, the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Hawaii and the US Pacific remote island areas. The fisheries in federal waters surrounding CNMI are managed under the Mariana Archipelago and Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plans. Traditional knowledge and wide community involvement are integral parts of the ecosystem-based approach to fishery management.

CNMI Contacts Council Vice Chair John Gourley

Antonio Magofna shows participants of the Council-sponsored Fisheries and Marine Science High School Summer Course how to use throw net. PHOTO BY JACK OGUMORO.

Chenchulu fishermen showing off their mafute' Phone: (670) 322-7289 catch. PHOTO BY MIKE TENORIO. Email: john.e.gourley@gmail.com

FISHERMEN CODE OF CONDUCT Kodigun Konduktun Peskadot Allégh me Mwóghutughut Sóu liyap 1. RESPECT NATURE and your place in it.

RISPETA I NATURE yan i sanhalum na lugåt-mu.

Awóóy alúllúl falúw me sáát me igha U lo iye.

2. SEEK ADVICE of experts with generational knowledge of the local resources.

ALIGÅO ABISU gi manmåolik gi generational knowledge gi guinahan tånu’.

Mwuuri sángiir me schókka re repiya meeta óutol faluwasch, iye yaasch bwe ammweleesch.

3. SHOW REGARD to spawning seasons and juvenile fish.

NA’ANNUK REGARD gi para tiempun manmañåda’ yan i nuebu nai manmafañågu na guihan.

Sibwe ascheleghil rel yaal ghúúllong tiillil iigh.

4. DO NOT WASTE. Take only what is needed.

MUNGNGA MUNA’LÅSTIMA. Chuli’ atyu ha’ i håfa un nisista. Óutte soolap. Bwughi schagh mille U bwe yááyá.

5. KEEP SAFE people, property and resources.

NASÅFU’ I TAOTÅO, propiedåt yan guinaha siha.

Amwaala ghatchúúr aramas, falúw me schowaarasch.

6. OBEY fishing laws and rules.

OSGI i lai yan I areklamentun pumeska siha.

Attabweey mwóghutughutúl allégh.

7. USE PROPER gear and techniques.

USA I PROPIU na ramenta yan manera siha.

Yááyá schowaar kka e fill.

Council Member Ray Roberto CNMI Department of Land and Natural Resources Phone: (670) 322-9834 Email: raysaipan@gmail.com

8. PICK UP YOUR TRASH. HOKKA I BASULÅ-MU. Úrúghúló peipeyúmw.

9. SHARE YOUR CATCH. NA’FAÑAGI ni kininne’-mu. Áileti ló liyappómw.

Chamorro translation by Siñora Bernie Sablan Trinanslåda as: Siñora Bernie Sablan Refaluwasch translation by Esther S. Seman.

Selátiyal: Esther S. Seman.

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone: (808) 522-8220 Fax: (808) 522-8226 Email: info.wpcouncil@noaa.gov Web: www.wpcouncil.org ISBN 978-1-944827-32-8