The Nimpal Channel Marine Conservation Area held ceremony on Tuesday, August 16th 2011 launching its new surveillance platform. It was named "
Chingiygog" after the evening star. Members of the two villages Okaw and Kaday came together to officially christen the newly completed platform.
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| Chingiygog - the local name for the evening star, first setting star on the Western horizon |
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| The surveillance platform will be towed out and moored at its post just outside the boundary of the "no-take" zone. Community surveillance teams keep watch every evening till morning aboard the platform. |
Guests that were on hand to witness the event included government officials such as the Governor and Lt. Governor of Yap State, Speaker of Yap State Legislature and a few Senators. Government agencies such as Yap EPA and Marine Resources, along with Yap's NGO - Yap Community Action Program, Yap Institute of Natural Science, as well as the TNC Asia/Pacific Marine Program were also present. Members of the private sector dive operators and other community MPA representatives also graced the event with their presence.
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| Chief John Pong (standing), Weloy Muncipality chief, welcoming guests and partners. |
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| TNC Asia/Pacific Program members in foreground observing community event. |
In addition to the launching of the new surveillance platform was the signing of the Nimpal Channel MCA 3-year Management Plan. I am proud to be a part of this project that two villages have come together to start and manage and hope that from here we move on to better take better care of our natural resources, our environment, and our future.
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| (From left to right) | | Kaday village signatories: Stan Fillmed and Anselm Filmed. | Okaw village signatories: James Manguon and John Pong. | | | |
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/s/
Jonathan
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