Northern Mariana Islands

(a) Prohibitions: The use of explosives, poisons, electric shocking devices, SCUBA or hookah and use of certain nets as identified in subsection (a)(2), is prohibited in the taking of any fish. (1) No person shall use explosives, poisons, electronic shocking devices, SCUBA, or hookah while fishing. (2) No person shall use drag nets/beach seines (Chenchulun and lagua), trap net (Chenchulun managam), surround net (Chenchulun Umesugon) or gill nets (Tekken) for taking of fish or other sea life. (3) No person shall possess, sell, or purchase any fish, game, marine, or other aquatic life taken by means prohibited in this section. (4) Use of any of these nets or devices will result in the net or devices being confiscated and the owners will be subject to penalties (fines and/or imprisonment) as stated in 2 CMC § 5109 (PL 2-51). (b) The use of any fishing gear in a manner that is substantially destructive to benthic substrate is prohibited. (c) Exceptions: The use of explosives, poisons, electronic shocking devices, SCUBA, or hookah is allowed where used by a Division employee where such use is authorized by the Director or where used pursuant to a scientific collection permit which specifically allows for such use. (d) Disruption of Habitat: Disturbance of coral, dead or alive, is prohibited under any circumstances except under emergencies or by persons exempt under § 85-30.1-410.

(b) The following marine reserves have been established on Rota and Saipan under the management of the Department: (1) Sasanhaya Fish Reserve: between and including Puña Point and the Coral Gardens. (2) Managaha Conservation Area: consisting of the island of Managaha and its surrounding waters marked by boundaries at 15°15’5.30”N, 145°42’45.07”E and 15°14’19.34”N, 145°43’38.46”E and 15°13’40.63”N, 145°42’39.56”E and 15°14’4.99”N, 145°41’27.49”E. (c) Except as provided for in subsections (e) and (f) below, the following activities are prohibited within the boundaries of any marine reserve: (1) Killing or removing, or attempting to remove, any marine animal or plant, including but not limited to any fishes, coral (live or dead), lobster, shellfish, clams or octopus; (2) Using any type of food or other attractant for the purposes of attracting fish (e.g. fish feeding, baiting, etc.); (3) Anchoring of any vessel except in case of actual emergency, or for scientific purposes permitted by the Division; (4) Removing, defacing, damaging or destroying any artifact, natural object, buoy, sign or other structure; (5) Carrying on any commercial or industrial activity; (6) Disturbing or removing any substrate, sand, or other material; or (7) Dumping or depositing any rubbish, waste material or substance that would degrade or alter the quality of the environment.

(a) License Required (1) A person may not take regulated fish or game unless that person has been issued a license from the Division or any designated agent of the Division. Unprotected wildlife may be taken year-round without a hunting license. A license is required for the taking of any of the following fish and game: (i) Sambar deer (Binado) - Cervus unicolor (ii) Philippine Turtle-dove (Paluman apu) - Streptopelia bitorquata (iii) Precious corals - Corallim spp. (iv) Hermatypic and other hard corals, soft corals and stony hydrozoans (v) Land crab (Panglao tunas) - Cardisoma hirtipes (vi) (Panglao echung) - Cardisoma carnifex and other terrestrial crabs (vii) Coconut crab (Ayuyu) - Birgus lataro (viii) Any species of fish or marine invertebrates taken by a method or for a purpose regulated by part 400 herein. (2) Any species not listed above, and not designated as protected, threatened, or endangered, is considered unprotected wildlife and may be taken at any time without a license.

(a) Prohibitions: It shall be prohibited and deemed unlawful to take or to be in possession of any lobster: (1) Which measures less than three inches (76.2 mm) in length measured in a straight line along the carapace from the ridge between the two largest spines, above the eyes, back to the rear edge of the carapace; or (2) Which is carrying eggs; or (3) Which has been stripped of her eggs; or (4) Harvested by spear or any method other than by hand.