Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

Fanhaaniyan Pulan Chamoru 2011

2011

Honolulu, Hawaii

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC)

28

Traditional Lunar Calendar

"This 2011 Fanhaaniyan Pulan Chamoru (Chamorro lunar calendar) features the contributions and advice of the Chamorro Lunar Calendar Committee on Guam, which was produced by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC). The calendar highlights traditional fishing and conservation practices of the indigenous Chamorro of the Mariana Archipelago (Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and aims to to raise public awareness about the Mariana Archipelago Fisher Ecosystem Plan, developed by WPRFMC and implemented by the NOAAs National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in federal waters surrounding the archipelago. Traditional knowledge and wide community involvement are integral parts of this place-based, ecosystem approach to fishery management. The tide charts with the moon rise and set times are in Chamorro time for Hagatna, Guam. They were provided by Barry Smith, retired, University of Guams Marine Laboratory. The seasonal fishing predictions were provided by the fishermen in the Chamorro Lunar Calendar Committee and consolidated by committee member Jesse Rosario. They are based on past experience; however, there may be changes or differences based on a variety of factors such as weather patterns. This calendar features some of the winning entries from a student art contest held on Guam. The theme of the competition was Fino Gualaffon: Respeta I Tano yan I Tasi (Moonlight Talk: Respect the Land and the Ocean). This theme encouraged discussion on the importance of respecting our land and ocean resources, the lunar cycles that affect the life cycles of the flora and fauna of the land and ocean, and their importance to the people and the culture of the Mariana Archipelago."

NOAA CRCP grant NA10NMF4410061

NA10NMF4410061