Council Duties

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the duties of the Council shall include the following: CH. 63 FISH, GAME, FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION

(a)to prepare and coordinate the implementation of the indigenous fishing rights pursuant to Public Law 29-127;

(b)to coordinate and promote activities in connection with the conservation and development of Guam’s ocean, fisheries, and marine resources;

(c)to develop and establish permit requirements and a schedule of fees in connection therewith, relative to the conduct of fishing vessel operations and the harvesting of fish and other marine life in the waters of Guam;

(d)to oversee the expenditure and management of funds in the Guam Ocean and Fisheries Conservation and Development Fund established pursuant to § 63911 of this Article;

(e)to provide advice and information to I Maga’hågan/Maga’låhen Guåhan and to I Liheslaturan Guåhan, including the legislative committee on natural resources, on matters pertaining, but not limited to, the use and harvesting of freshwater and marine resources and their management;

(f)to review and provide advice on the impact of laws affecting the sustainable use of the marine and freshwater resources;

(g)to develop programs to enhance and promote the sustainable use of Guam’s marine and freshwater resources;

(h)to provide guidance and assist the Department of Agriculture in the expenditure of funds derived from marine activities, or federal grants, and other ocean, fisheries, and marine-related funding;

(i)to provide guidance to and assist the Department of Agriculture in the administration of Article 1 (Game and Fish) of this Chapter, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, with the exception of provisions, rules and regulations relative to non-aquatic animal life. The Council is authorized to provide guidance to and assist the Department of Agriculture under Article 1 of this Chapter, as may be provided for through cooperative agreements or other arrangements memorialized in writing and agreed to by the Council and the Director of Agriculture;

(j)to coordinate and promote the sustainable use of Guam’s oceans, fisheries, marine and freshwater resources within various communities on Guam; and

(k)to provide a report to I Maga’hågan/Maga’låhen Guåhan and to I Liheslaturan Guåhan within ninety

(90)days after the end of each fiscal year summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the Council over the past fiscal year.