Get to Know Your Council Members:

Manny Dueñas

Manny Dueñas was appointed to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council as an obligatory voting member representing Guam as vice chair in 2021. He is the chairman of the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association (GFCA). As a nonprofit organization, the GFCA strives to give back to fishermen not only by paying the best price for their fish, but by supporting the local fishing community with advocacy for the fair treatment of fishers with rules and regulations that make sense, and are in the best interest of Guam’s more than 4,000-year-old fishing culture.

You were part of the Council from 2004 to 2012. Why did you decide to serve again?

There are important fishery issues that need to be addressed. Guam’s interests should be placed on the table for discussion, and I intend to take the lead in driving them at the Council level. There are many other concerns that also need to be addressed, from military buildup to Compact of Free Association (COFA) impacts.

I want to continue my efforts to build local capacity, not just in Guam’s fisheries, but with other jurisdictions under the Council umbrella. The former Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Benigno Fitial once thanked me for helping the CNMI and gave me a plaque to show his gratitude.

My whole purpose is to act not just for today, but for tomorrow—for the fishermen to maintain a cultural relationship with the ocean.

What have you been doing since you were last on the Council?

I’ve been trying to deal with local issues, such as fishing rights and fisheries management with the local government, the legislature and the governor’s office. I’ve also been working with the board of the GFCA to move forward with construction of the new Co-op facility.

What are some issues that Guam fisheries are facing?

Shark depredation is still unresolved and it affects all sectors of Guam’s coastal fisheries, including pelagic and bottomfish fisheries.

I don’t believe fishing by Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) citizens in the U.S exclusive economic zone around Guam should be allowed as it conflicts with accountability measures outlined by the COFA between the FSM and the United States.

Ritidian and other military firing ranges adversely impact small-boat access and activity along the central to northwestern parts of Guam. The ranges negatively affect natural fish aggregation areas for seasonal pelagic species, as well as at bottomfish grounds. These ranges are expected to be used 75% of the calendar year, potentially removing 20–30% of the coastal fishery harvest.

I am also very concerned about Guam’s bottomfish stock’s status as overfished and the lack of data that is needed to support accurate stock assessments.

Manny Dueñas (left) and members of his crew beside a 350-pound black marlin.

Photo: Michael Dueñas.

Lastly, what is your favorite fish to eat and how do you prepare it?

Head of Onaga Soup Cooked in light coconut milk, onion, garlic and regular soup base. Cook until tender. Put ingre dients together and boil, then add onaga head. Once boiling, cover then simmer for 30 minutes (recommended over fire). Eyeballs are the best!

I appreciate sharks because they eat the body and leave the head for me to eat.