I got a question today about the ability to carry on traditional and cultural practices within the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. First of all, all regulations will be drafted with input from the local community, so if there is something that locals want, there is a pretty good chance locals will get it. Secondly, the answer to a lot of the questions I get are already available online and elsewhere. For example, since we are using the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument as a model, it is simple enough to check out their website for information. Their website reads:
The Proclamation, signed by President Bush on June 15, 2006, that designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a Marine National Monument states that "a person may conduct an activity regulated by this proclamation if such activity is specifically authorized by a permit," and in section D of the findings, permissible activities include those that "support or advance the perpetuation of traditional knowledge and ancestral connections of Native Hawaiians to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands." [emphasis added]*Notice that the proclamation does not define "traditional knowledge" or "ancestral connections," therefore they would be up for negotiation and interpretation.
This question usually comes up in regards to fishing. Again, the people of the Marianas will determine how our monument will function, but we can look to Hawai'i and see that they made the decision to allow some permitted activities, such as certain types of fishing, to perpetuate their culture.