No, this is not a new law or regulation. The sizes listed are recommendations based on the average size at which our fish begin to produce eggs, this size is called L50. These guides can be a helpful tool for all fishermen interested in sustaining our fisheries.
Harvesting, buying or eating fish below the listed L50 sizes reduces the number of spawning fish in the reef, resulting in less fish for tomorrow. By allowing fish to reach their reproductive size (also known as L50) before they are caught , we can help make sure there will be more fish on the reef to replace the ones being taken. These recommended sizes are not applicable to early juvenile runs (like manahak and I’e), though allowing fish to reach the recommended size will increase the size of these runs.
The L50 sizes are based on the best available life-history information with contributions from local and regional resource agencies and scientific journals. Regional variations in L50 sizes typically only vary a small amount. Feedback on these sizes from knowledgeable and experienced fishermen is invaluable to our ongoing efforts to keep our fisheries healthy.
How does it work?
By becoming familiar with the size at which fish reach maturity, fishermen can then choose to target only fish that have reached reproductive size, and if possible release those that are too small so that they have a chance to repopulate the reef.
What about juvenile fish runs like I’e, manahak and satmonetiyu?
•Harvesting of the early juvenile fish runs have proven to be a sustainable practice within the CNMI and are not a target of the size matters campaign. The recommendation is that we not catch late juvenile and young adults before they have a chance to contribute to future runs.
