Palau • YaP • Guam • CNmI • Chuuk • PohNPeI • kosrae • marshall IslaNds

Issue VIII - summer 2014sINCe 2009JOURNAL OF

reVItalIzING tradItIoNal stewardshIP PraCtICes IN YaP

refleCtIoNs of a refaluwasChfIsher IN themarIaNas

dab kuN PaG ko ’oel

a studY of fIshING PraCtICes IN Palau

omesubel a teletael ra omeNGed

refaluwasCh kka sChóól aweewel máNGemáNG rel leeset lóll marIaNas

sCIeNCe to maNaGemeNtCoral-reef fIsherIes IN Chuuk state, federated statesof mICroNesIa

Coral Reef Fisheries in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

4

Fishing across the countless reefs within Chuuk Lagoon remains a key component of everyday life for most Chuukese families. Whether fishing for food, an alternative source of income, or as a recreational activity, the culture of fishing has permeated through generations.

contents

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Severio Mettao was just two months old when he arrived on Agrigan, a remote island of the CNMI that lies some 245 miles to the north of Saipan. It was 1970 and Severio, my father, was a member of one of the families who called Agrigan home. It was their home and where my grandfather is now buried.

Omesubel a teletael ra omenged

8

Ollei is a fishing village in Ngarchelong state on the northern tip of Babeldaob in Palau. Ollei fishermen have been working with conservation organizations to sustainably manage their marine resources. Here, with partners from the Palau International Coral Reef Center, the JMF talked with Katsushi Skang, an experienced elder fisherman.

Refaluwasch kka Schóól Aweewel Mángemáng rel Leeset lóll Marianas

The communities of Mal’ay, Kanifay and Thabeth, Gilman, are located in the southern part of the main island of Yap. With a combined population of about 136 people, these are small villages—small villages facing big problems.

Dab kun pag ko ’oel18

This journal was prepared with support from The David & Lucile Packard Foundation.

The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of PMRI or

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation.

www.pacmares.com/homewww.facebook.com/pacmares

Email Inquiries: info@pacmares.comMail: Pacific Marine Resources Institute

P.O. Box 10003 PMB 1156Saipan, MP 96950, USA

(670)233-7333

EditorsPeter Houk

Brooke NevittGreg Moretti

ContributorsKatsushi Skang

Kevin PolloiJavier Cuetos-Bueno

Dania MettaoSeverio Mettao

Yap Community Action ProgramReey Management Team

Pacific MarineResources

Institute

Science to ManagementScience to ManagementCoral-reef fisheries

in Chuuk state, federated states

of micronesiaStory and photos byJavier Cuetos-Bueno

1

Fishing across the countless reefs within Chuuk Lagoon remains a key component of everyday life for most Chuukese families. Whether fishing for food, an alternative source of income, or

as a recreational activity, the culture of fishing has permeated through generations. However, fishers across Chuuk have a clear memory of the “good old days”, when the reefs of Chuuk Lagoon were full of large fish ready for the taking. Fishers today find it increasingly difficult to fulfill their catch needs, spending more time traveling to isolated reefs, spearing fishing at night instead of daytime, and diving deeper. This sequence of events is not unique to Chuuk, and is becoming more common across Micronesia. Recent coral-reef assessments conducted across the region found diminished reef fish populations in association with higher human population density per reef-area (Journal of Micronesian Fishing,Fall 2013 Issue VII: “Science to Support Decision Making”). Similarly, comparative studies of fisheries within individual jurisdictions also suggest declines across human gradients, which is at the heart of what the present research is finding in Chuuk.

But, how are Chuuk’s reef fisheries really doing? Simple question, difficult answer. Unfortunately, and due to limited sound scientific data on Chuuk’s fisheries over the years, we have to answer this question based upon recent studies only, without a good understanding of a historical baseline. Recent data collected by coral-reef monitoring programs (combined efforts of Chuuk Department of Marine Resources, Chuuk Conservation Society, and the University of Guam Marine Lab) suggest that reef fish populations within Chuuk Lagoon are in better condition compared to other jurisdictions where similar data was collected. This trend is based upon overall averages across all monitoring sites associated with each jurisdiction. Yet, when we look at the highs and lows of specific reefs, an interesting picture emerges. Some of Chuuk’s reefs near the outer part of the atoll (i.e., reefs that are far away from Weno or other populated islands) have among the highest fish biomass recorded anywhere across Micronesia. In contrast, reefs within 5 to 10 km of islands with human populations have among

the lowest fish biomass recorded. So, understanding the low-to-high fish biomass gradient is key for Chuuk, and this translates to understanding how the large size of Chuuk Lagoon and the remoteness of many reefs provide for high overall fish biomass. Does this mean that reef fisheries in Chuuk Lagoon are doing well? If so, why do Chuuk fishers complain about how hard fishing is becoming?

Aiming to address these questions and to help develop tailored fisheries policies for Chuuk, a one-year study of the reef recently began. Using standard survey techniques, the study will assess the overall status of the reef fishery. Fisher interviews will provide information like where fishing activity focuses, what type of gear is being used, how much income fishers are making per unit effort, and fishing frequency. Additionally, market-based surveys will provide information on the species and size of the fish that are captured for sales and export, as well as information on how reef fisheries contribute to Chuuk’s economy.

While still in the early stages of the study, the data collected thus far show some interesting trends. First, the composition of commercial landings on Chuuk indicates that reef fish populations appear to be in better shape than those of other main islands in Micronesia. This agrees with the monitoring data reported above, and helps to define a better regional perspective on fisheries along exploitation gradients. In Chuuk, commercial catches are dominated by predatory fish (fish that feed on smaller fish or invertebrates) like groupers and snappers. Predatory fish are especially susceptible to fishing pressure, as they usually grow slow and take many years to become sexually mature. Therefore, many predatory fish are the first ones to disappear from the reefs once fishing becomes more and more intensive. In contrast with Chuuk, landings from other islands in Micronesia are no longer dominated by predatory fish, but instead, by fish lower in the trophic pyramid (for example, fish that feed on algae, like parrotfishes and surgeonfishes) which grow faster and can handle more intensive fishing pressure (FIG 1a).

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Yet, there are signs of concern for Chuuk reef fisheries. While predatory fishes still dominate the catches, many of those are being harvested at small sizes, even before reaching their optimal reproductive maturity size (FIG 1b). Also, very susceptible but once abundant species such as Napoleon Wrasse or Bumphead Parrotfish are rarely caught now. Further, and perhaps most importantly, the many fishers we have interviewed in Chuuk unanimously report decreasing resources overtime (with reef fish becoming less abundant and smaller during their lifetimes), and the need to travel to reefs further away from the inhabited islands to get what they consider a “good catch”. These are all indicators that, while still in better shape than many islands across Micronesia, Chuuk reef fisheries are experiencing a decline overtime. Collectively, what the preliminary data suggests is that Chuuk reef fisheries are already showing signs of decline, most pronounced along gradients of human settlement.

This does not comes as a surprise, as similar series of events have been widely documented elsewhere, where human population growth and increasing commercial fishing has led to declining reef fish populations and fisheries. In Chuuk, increasing demand and easier access to both local and international markets has driven many fishers to turn to commercial fishing, as one of the few income alternatives available at their home islands. This in turn has further increased pressure on reef fish populations, with commercial fishing now focusing almost exclusively on the most remote and less exploited reefs within the Lagoon. Early estimates from this study suggest 1 million pounds of reef fish is being caught for commercial purposes in Chuuk Lagoon every year, with approximately half of it being sold locally at Weno’s urban markets, and the other half being exported mostly to Guam. Under such a scenario of increasing fishing pressure, if not properly managed, a decline similar to other Micronesian fisheries can be predicted for Chuuk Lagoon, as more and more fishers turn to commercial fishing to fulfill the growing demands of the urban markets of Weno and Guam.

What does all this mean for the management of Chuuk reef fisheries? The initial signs of fisheries declines and strong spatial gradients are reasons for concern given the high dependence placed upon their fishery for subsistence and economic gain. Thus, Chuuk’s reef fisheries would greatly benefit from stakeholder-driven management planning that might include a combination of both area-based

and catch-based policies and could initially focus upon exports or commercial sales. This approach places less of the burden upon subsistence fisheries, and would begin to improve the balance between present economic gain and future resource sustainability. Management across Micronesia comes in many forms, including gear restrictions (i.e. ban on gill nets), catch limits (i.e. size limits), protected areas (i.e. traditional metchen), seasonal bans (i.e. bans during reproductive seasons), and bans on endangered species (i.e. bumphead parrotfish). Regardless of what form management may take, any future actions would require careful consideration of both the ecological and socio-economic environment, and include the involvement and participation of all fisheries stakeholders. This study is designed to produce a firm baseline of information on Chuuk’s fisheries so that future management decisions can be made based on the best available science.

6

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As told by Katsushi Skang to Kevin Polloi

A studyof fishing practicesin Palau

Photos by Greg Moretti

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Katsushi Skang began fishing as a boy. Learning from his father, a skilled uuked (throw net) and spear fisherman, he started at an early age. “When I was young, I would accompany my father spearfishing. I had a small spear gun, so while he speared larger fish along the drop-offs, I would go after masech (Ctenochaetus striatus - small surgeonfish) and other fish in the shallow areas.” Then, as he grew older, while spearfishing, they would visit specific coral heads where napoleon wrasse could be found. But, he explained, his favorite method of fishing was throw spear. “I got interested in throw spears because I seemed to be quite accurate when we played on land throwing sharpened sticks at coconuts. I asked my father to make me a spear so I could go fishing. I was ten years old when I started fishing using a spear. I either just walked along the stone pier or I’d go on the reef flat during low tide to fish. As I grew older, I got very good at throwing the spear and would end up sharing my catch with others. This was my activity when I was younger. I would hurry home from school, drop off my school bag, take my taod (pronged spear) and go fishing, especially when the tides were good. We always had fish to eat. It also helped that there were more fish back then.”

Throw spear takes a lot of practice to master and it was a skill Skang taught himself. “I practiced a lot trying to figure out the best way to spear my quarry. My aim was to find where to hit the animal that would result in the most landing. When I got older I could spear 5 turtles and the entry point on the shell would be at the same location.”

Ollei is a fishing village in Ngarchelong state on the northern tip of Babeldaob in Palau. Ollei fishermen have been working with conservation organizations to sustainably manage their marine resources. Here, with partners from the Palau International Coral Reef Center, the JMF talked with Katsushi Skang, an experienced elder fisherman.

I would hurry home from school, drop off my school bag, take my taod (pronged

spear) and go fishing, especially when the tides were good. We always had fish to eat.

Remembering his youth, Skang also described omerrau a traditional Palauan fishing practice that he said is no longer in use. They would go out to the uet, (seagrass beds just outside the mangroves that remain submerged during low tides) and use their feet to herd fish into nets. Although not many people make nets today, Skang learned to weave nets when he was young. “One day, I asked my father to weave me a net, but he was busy weaving someone else’s so I had to wait. I studied the nets he was making and began making my own. I learned pretty quick and soon had the makings of a net. My father saw what I was doing and was surprised. I even made a mold for the weights that had my initials on it. The traditional throw nets were made with natural twine. These nets didn’t have pockets so once thrown, fish caught in the net had to be killed before retrieving the net.”

With the skills he learned as a boy, Skang spent much of his life in and around the water fishing for his family and for the market. He explained, “I knew where the fish could be found depending on the lunar cycle and tides. I learned this by myself. I would keep notes of the fish I observed and mark my calendar. Even now, if these fish (bumphead parrotfish and napoleon wrasse) were legal to take, I could just look at the moon and tides and take you to the place where they would be. I observed them to the point where I now know their normal movement within the reefs.” He shares this knowledge with others. “I teach my children and younger relatives. I’ve taught them the proper way to kill large fish like bumphead parrotfish when spearfishing. Other more sensitive or valuable information I reserve for my children.”

9

His most memorable catch happened when he and his brothers went out for bumphead parrotfish. In one trip, they speared 183 fish and filled their three boats. “This was when I fished to sell my catch. I could make $5,000 in two weeks just from fishing. This was even when the price was cheap at sixty cents per pound.” Today, his favorite spot to fish in Palau is Eraches channel. “We can just drift through it and catch the fish that we need. We can always catch fish there. We usually catch snappers, emperors, jacks and groupers.”

But today, according to Skang, there are less fish than when he started. This he attributes to increased stressors on the resource including more people fishing and an increase in climate change related problems like storms and reef bleaching events. As a result, Skang and others are working to implement size limits within their village fisheries. “Overall, fish populations have decreased. In fact, we (Ollei village fishermen) just had a meeting yesterday to discuss establishing size limits on different species of fish we target. If you catch a fish that is undersized and is still alive, then you release it. This allows the fish to get bigger and reproduce, basically allowing the fishermen to continue fishing in a sustainable way.”

He went on to explain that this effort is in addition to the implementation of bul (traditional moratorium) that is protecting spawning grounds of over sixty different species of fish from intense fishing pressure. “The reason why the regulations for Ebiil Channel are very effective is because there is a bul that the traditional leadership of Ngarchelong implemented in addition to the state regulations. When there is a violation, the violator can H

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When we go fishing and have caught

enough, I’d say that it’s time to go. If someone says that they should

fish some more because the fish are biting, I would ask, if

we don’t take the fish, are they going to spoil? Let’s leave them until we need them some

other time.

be fined through the state laws and the traditional system, too. There was an instance where a violator’s boat was confiscated through the traditional law. This is a way that tradition can be used to help protect our marine resources and the environment.”

However, Skang does not think that conservation and its enforcement should lie solely in the hands of state and traditional regulators. “I think people should also start policing themselves. People should begin to change their way of thinking about our resources; to think more sustainably. It is a hard thing to catch a napoleon wrasse and let it go, but we have to teach our younger generations to think about the future. The reason why people violate the laws is because they are not shown the right way. If we regulate ourselves and think that our actions have repercussions for the future, it will help ensure the sustainability of our resources. When we go fishing and have caught enough, I’d say that it’s time to go. If someone says that they should fish some more because the fish are biting, I would ask, if we don’t take the fish, are they going to spoil? Let’s leave them until we need them some other time.”

Looking to the future, this fisherman is optimistic. “We are lucky that we began protecting and conserving our resources before they were completely depleted. There is lots of hope and great chance for success.”

Katsushi Skang talks with author.

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This issue’s winning photo by

Steven Lindfield. Get your best shot published and

win a $50.00 prize! Submit fullresolution digital photos to:

jmf@pacmares.comYour Best Shot

12

Fishermen from Pohnpei, Taylor Paul (in water) and Quincy Malakai (on boat) fishing for grouper while snorkeling using live mwunh or soldierfish (Myripristis kunte) as bait. In this

case (inset picture) they caught a widir or camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion).

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Severio Mettao & son Kolfred, father and brother of author

aweewel mángemáng rel

leeset lóll marianasrefaluwasch kka schóól

Phot

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15

As told by Severio Mettao to his daughter Dania Mettao

Severio Mettao was just two months old when he arrived on Agrigan, a remote island of the CNMI that lies some 245 miles to the north of Saipan. It was 1970 and Severio, my father, was a member of one of the families who called Agrigan home. It was their home, and where my grandfather is now buried. At the age of 5 my father moved 40 miles south to another remote northern island, Pagan, where he started grade school. After a year he moved to Saipan where he has lived ever since, but whenever the opportunity presents, he returns to

the Northern Islands to fish and reconnect with the special place that he, to this day, considers home. His accomplishments as a fisherman include having fished 10 of the 14 islands in the CNMI and I recently interviewed him in order to record some of his memories from those incredible experiences.

In the summer of 1993, at the age of 23, my dad returned to the Northern Islands after seventeen long years of being away. Travelling with seven other men, all residents of Anatahan, they voyaged north to the island to hunt, fish, and harvest hard betel nut to sell upon their return to Saipan. Their fishing vessel, chartered by the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, left Saipan early on a summer morning heading north. Along the way the men cast their trolling lines and caught seafood for sashimi to eat. During the 8 hour voyage from Saipan to Anatahan, they kept busy fishing and whale watching. “Travelling in the early mornings between the islands was always my favorite memory because I got to see dolphins and some whales, too!” my father fondly recalls. Four long hours after their departure, they spotted the first island north of Saipan, Farallon de Medinilla – a flat, uninhabited island that is used as a bombing range by the US military today. From Farallon de Medinilla, my dad said, they could already see their destination, the island of Anatahan, although it would take another 4 hours to

Severio returns from

fishing.

Taking a break from fishing while in the Northern Islands.

Reflections of a

Refaluwasch Fisherin the Marianas

reach it. They continued to spot dolphins and the friendly mammals acted playfully as they heard the ship’s engine. They swam up close to the ship and put on a show for those aboard.

Once they arrived at Anatahan, the men partook in a variety of activities from farming to hunting to fishing. When hunting, my dad remembers being able to choose what to eat for the day - there was so much food available that he had many options, including goat, pig, or cow. For my dad, fishing in the Northern Islands was

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Continued on page 21

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Members of Reey Marine Conservation Area

Management TeamFront Row (L to R):

Daniel Forong & John Yinrow

Back Row (L to R):Patrick Sogaw, Peter Nruw

& John Gilsowuth

By: Yap Community Action Program

Revitalizing Traditional Stewardship Practices in Yap

Dab kun pag ko ’oel

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The communities of Mal’ay, Kanifay and Thabeth, Gilman, are located in the southern part of the main island of Yap. With a combined population of about 136 people, these are small villages—small villages facing big problems.

Over time, the people of Mal’ay and Thabeth have observed a decline in marine life within their traditional fishing grounds. According to John Gilsowuth, a member of the Reey management team, “unlike the olden days when one could fish in the shallow waters of the sea grass flat and catch plenty fish, it became difficult for everyone, including the people of Mal’ay and Thabeth, to catch even an oyee (lethrinus obsoletus) or wul’ (lethrinus harak).”

Concerned, the communities came together and concluded that overfishing by community members and poaching by non-community members were the main threats to the area. These threats, they agreed, were driven by lifestyle changes in Yap due to the growing reliance on a cash based economy and could potentially result in the eventual erosion of traditional customs and practices. During discussions of the challenges facing the villages and their marine areas, the notion of kan pag ko’oel was identified as a critical contributing factor. This phrase is unique to the southern part of Yap, where Mal’ay and Thabeth are situated, and describes the observed increase of actions (or non-action) that is demonstrative of a lack of a sense of ownership or commitment by individuals. Such attitude breaks down community cohesion and has played a role in challenges facing communities in Yap.

To tackle these concerns the two villages revived a traditional call for collaboration and together worked to establish the Reey Marine Conservation Area (MCA) in 2007. John Gilsowuth explains, “As a result of this decline in fish stock, we decided to establish an MCA to help protect our marine resources, especially food fish and edible invertebrates. Corals are also dying out so if we do not protect these resources, it would be our children or our children’s children who would suffer in the days to come.” In 2011, the Reey MCA was publicly announced through a community endorsed and enforced declaration. This designated “no-take” zone is co-owned and co-managed by the Mal’ay and Thabeth communities through traditional Yapese rights and authority.

Working closely with partners, The Nature Conservancy and Yap Community Action Program (Yap CAP), the Reey MCA team has drafted a management plan that is expected to be endorsed and implemented this year. This holistic plan addresses the concerns voiced by Mal’ay and Thabeth and details the regulations and activities implemented to ensure the success of the site. The group, concerned with the issues presented by kan pag ko’oel, developed the mission statement, dab kun pag ko’oel which calls for the community to come together and revitalize traditional stewardship practices.

Of course, the development and maintenance of such a site has not been without challenges. Securing funding for the continued support of the Reey MCA as well as the need to increase awareness about the site, its purpose and the regulations are a few areas that needed extra effort. According to Patrick Sogaw, a member also of Reey MCA management, “securing funds needed to implement project objectives

19

has been a major challenge.” And John Gilsowuth added, “not everyone is fully aware of our ongoing efforts and the benefits associated with the site.”

Despite the challenges, Mal’ay and Thabeth, with the support of their partners are looking forward to watching the Reey MCA flourish—and perhaps grow. In 2013, six solar marine beacons were installed to permanently mark and indicate the boundaries of the MCA. Plans for a surveillance platform have been completed and construction is expected to commence soon. Embedded in the management plan for Reey MCA is a surveillance program that includes full-time personnel who would be patrolling the site to prevent intrusions into the “no-take” zone. In addition, they plan to continue existing biological monitoring of the site to help measure the changes taking place underwater. Patrick Sogaw expressed his optimism, “Our hopes include expanding the scope of our project to include someday the management and protection of our terrestrial resources and create job opportunities for members of our communities.”

A surveillance platform, similar to this one in Nimpal, Yap is planned for Reey.

Reey partners work to develop management plan.

Continued from page 19

Tips for Community-BasedMarine Managed Areas

1. Initial Discussions: Hold community meetings. Engage all relevant stakeholder groups. Raise awareness of issues and importance of good management for our livelihoods (present and future).

2. Management Planning: Develop goals and objectives. Select sites with greatest chance for success at first. Develop monitoring plans. Keep rules simple. Partner with local NGOs. Ensure transparency with good communication.

3. Monitoring: Engage existing monitoring programs and/or form a community-based team of experts. Let monitoring help provide information about the resource status, and the trends in the resources status. Transfer results back to stakeholders and revisit step 2 (planning) as necessary.

4. Enforcement: Ensure everyone knows the rules. Utilize traditional enforcement systems whenever possible and couple with governmental support when necessary. Many agree that dedicated enforcement is the most difficult step towards successful resource management.

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Refaluwasch Fisher....Continued from page 16

always, “a lot of fun because of the variety of fish to choose from.” Together the men caught enough food to eat and some extra to smoke or dry to bring back home to Saipan.

When fishing up north, my dad would spearfish (day and night); bottomfish anytime of day in both shallow and deep water, and troll during early mornings and afternoons. Today, in the waters around Saipan, he only spearfishes. Spearfishing is his favorite fishing method because he enjoys seeing life on the reefs underwater. He described it as being like a botanical garden filled with flowers and plants of different colors, but in the place of plants and flowers, you see the vibrant colors of the beautiful fish and corals.

My dad first learned how to spearfish when he was 11 years old from his uncles Enrique and Jack Moteisou, in the waters along Beach Road in Garapan in the area now called 13 Fishermen. The first thing they taught him was how to swim. From shore, they would swim out to the lighthouse on the reef. As days passed, he was given goggles and tagged along on fishing trips to observe how they caught the fish and which ones they went after. He learned the hard way, but practice was definitely the key. It took six long months before he really learned and mastered the fishing technique. Then, his uncles rewarded him by giving him his very own home-made spear gun. He worked hard to master the gun. After about two months, he was ready to catch his own fish. When he started, it was quite easy because back then, there was a variety of fish to choose from. After many years of practice, he learned exactly where to catch certain fish and the best spots for other seafood, like octopus.

While my dad was learning to fish, his uncle shared with him that if you really want to keep catching a certain kind of fish, you should always eat the head. “By eating the head of a fish,” my dad explained, “you will know what it is thinking when you come in contact with it under the water.” He attributes use of this tradition to his most memorable catch. It all happened at the First Annual

Spearfishing Derby held during Carolinian Heritage Month. Although he was the youngest competitor, my dad proudly took home the second place trophy. Through the skills passed down by his uncles, he was able to win. The second year, he was encouraged by our family and friends to enter into the derby again. That year, he won the championship trophy and was able to hold the title for four consecutive years!

Today, we remember my dad’s uncles, Enrique and Jack. They gave him skills and knowledge that have helped him to become a skilled fisherman. Sadly, the site where they taught him to fish in Garapan, is now named after the tragedy that took their lives. They were among the crew of thirteen fishermen who were lost at sea during a storm in 1986. The 13 Fishermen memorial is a reminder to all of the risks that fishermen take every time they head out into the waters.

As the daughter of a Refaluwasch fisherman, it is crucial to learn how to prepare fish. When I was little, I always wanted to follow my dad when he went out, but in our custom, men are the ones who look for food and women are in charge of the preparation. So, I stayed ashore and learned how to clean and scale fish. I grew up eating fish and learned to love it. I am always excited to see what he brings home for us. I always hope, that before he returns, he was able to catch my favorite—palaksi (parrot fish).

Fishing is important to my dad because it puts fresh, healthy food on our table. It also puts money in our pockets. Fishing is his livelihood and through it, he works hard to provide for our family. Fishing also helps my dad stay healthy and active. Each time he goes out, he gets great exercise! Fishing is a way of life for my dad and for my family. For my dad, the old Chinese proverb rings especially true, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Fishing is important to my dad because it puts

fresh, healthy food on our table. It also puts money in our pockets. Fishing is

his livelihood and through it, he works hard to provide

for our family.

Severio with friends in Northern Islands.

21

Chef Sam Sablan is an indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Her passion for food and cooking flourished from her growing interest in French cuisine during her early culinary days in San Francisco. She holds a degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and has worked for some of San Francisco’s best chefs at “The Fifth Floor, the “W” Hotel and the Fairmont Hotel. Upon returning home to Saipan, she continued to refine her culinary skill before deciding to pursue resource conservation work-her other passion.

Chef Sam’s dream is to develop and bring Micronesian cuisine to the world by adding island flavors and native ingredients to classic French and Italian cooking.

1 lb. leftover fish (bbq, oven cooked, fried, etc.), deboned and separated into smaller pieces. Try mixing assorted leftover fish- tataga, parrot fish, mahi mahi, etc.. But, if you don’t have available leftovers, you may use freshly cooked fish. Be sure to debone and skin the fish before mixing with other ingredients.1 cup of minced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery OR 1 carrot stick; 1 celery stick; 3 cloves of garlic and half a bulb of onion;Wash, peel and chop carrot, celery, and onion;Thoroughly blend the carrots, celery, garlic and onion in food processor, thoroughly drain water from mixture

and set aside;In sauce pan, reduce 1 cup of orange juice by half, set aside and let cool;In a separate pan, cook minced veggies with 1

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Garden salad with homemade fish Cake

tablespoon of canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside and let cool;Once everything is at room temperature or cooled, hand mix prepared fish, minced carrots, celery, onion and garlic in mixing bowl with 1 cup of Mayonnaise or for a better taste (but not necessary) Aioli sauce;Scoop fish-mix for portioning, each portion should weigh at least 5-6 ounces for each cake;Prepare: 5 cups of flour (slightly seasoned), beaten eggs (4 pcs.), and 1 large bag of Panko in 3 separate bowls;Gently coat each portioned fish cake in the flour, egg-mix and panko accordingly. Make sure you follow in the same order- FIRST coat in flour, SECOND, dip in the egg mix, and THIRD, thoroughly coat in the panko;In a medium sized frying pan, heat 4 tablespoons of canola oil (vegetable oil is ok) until fish cakes are golden brown. Serve on a bed of vegetables freshly picked from your garden at home.

towithCooking Chef Sam

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leaVe footPrINts, Not trash.PlastIC aNd other GarbaGe kIll turtles aNd smother Corals.

be sure to Put trash IN a GarbaGe CaN.