YESTERDAY was a good day for net fishing and that’s what a group of local residents did during a peaceful demonstration at Matapang Beach Park in Tumon to show their disappointment with the government of Guam’s inaction on indigenous fishing rights.

Josephine Jackson and her husband Danny “Maga Lahi Pagat” Jackson entered the water with a lagua, or drift net, that they set to catch fish. The area is also known as the Tumon Marine Preserve. Joining them was Howard “Aniti” Hemsing while about seven others watched.

Josephine lamented that Bill 190-30 would have set the standards with regards to fishing in Guam’s waters, but nothing has been done.

Bill 190-30 was introduced in 2009 by Sen. Judi Guthertz and even garnered about 5,000 signatures supporting it. But nothing has come to fruition. The measure, however, raised red flags among those who believe it is their ancestral right to fish in marine preserves and others who are focused on protecting the marine ecosystem.

“What we’re seeing is we can’t even go fishing here because the tourists are here. All we want to do is show the people that we want to teach our children and our grandchildren how to fish the old-fashioned way,” said Josephine as she pointed out to Tumon Bay.

She said all they’re asking from the Legislature is to reintroduce the measure.

No governor

“We’ve also been calling the governor during the last two years for an appointment. But when the time comes, he’s never there,” she said, adding the group met up with Gov. Eddie Calvo and was told to go to his office to make an appointment since he’ll be on-island for another month. Jackson said she told the governor that by the time they go to his office again, he will most likely not be available to hear their concerns once more.

She stressed that all they want is for the governor to issue an executive order so residents like her can exercise their fishing rights.

Another issue she brought up is the apparent lack of data from the Department of Agriculture as far as how much fish is in the preserves. Also, there is concern as to why a study done by a group in Australia is alleging that fishermen are hampering the fish in the Marine Preserves.

“It’s not right. It’s only once a year when we go fishing,” she said.

She added something has to be done especially for the safety of fishermen.

John Lizama, of Barrigada, said he always thought the federal government was tying their hands and preventing them from fishing in the preserves. But he says he is more disappointed to learn that the problem lies with the local government.

Joey and Rick Conner, both of Dededo, were at the beach with their families as the demonstration took place. They agree with the plight of the fishermen.

“I think it’s good. The government should give back the fishing rights to the local people,” Joey Conner said.

Rick, who was rod-and-reel fishing at the beach, understands their intentions.

“That’s our tradition and that’s our survival,” he said. “The ocean is so big and I don’t think fish will be gone for a long time. We’re not trying to catch all the small ones. We’re just trying to catch the good ones. For the government to stop us from fishing, how are we going to do something for fun or teach our kids?”

During the protest, a law enforcement officer was seen pulling into the parking lot of the beach park, but the officer never got down from his vehicle.