The ocean is not simply a backdrop to our lives in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is our highway, our pantry, our classroom, our inheritance and our responsibility. From the reef flats of Saipan and Tinian to the deep waters surrounding the Marianas Trench, our people have lived in relationship with the sea for generations. That relationship now demands renewed clarity and collective action.
I recently signed the Ocean Rights Declaration, a global statement affirming that the ocean is more than a resource to be extracted. It is a living system that sustains all life on Earth. The declaration calls for an ethical human–ocean relationship grounded in respect, stewardship, and responsibility. It recognizes that the health of the ocean is inseparable from food security, economic stability, cultural continuity, and climate resilience.
For the CNMI, this conversation is not theoretical. Our fisheries support local families. Our reefs protect our shorelines from erosion and storm surge. Our waters attract visitors who sustain small businesses. Our navigational heritage connects us to a legacy of Pacific wayfinding that predates modern nation states. When the ocean is stressed, we feel it immediately.
The Ocean Rights movement aligns closely with Pacific worldviews that see land and sea as interconnected and living. It affirms that coastal and Indigenous communities are not stakeholders on the sidelines but custodians whose voices must guide governance. In a region facing mounting pressures from climate change, overfishing, marine pollution, and emerging interest in deep seabed mineral extraction, strengthening this ethical framework is essential.
Joining the Ocean Rights Declaration is not a symbolic gesture. It signals support for advancing policies and governance systems that respect the intrinsic value of marine ecosystems. It encourages collaboration among local leaders, educators, youth, fishermen, scientists, faith communities, and policymakers. It reinforces that development and conservation must not be opposing forces but carefully balanced priorities grounded in long term stewardship.
As Pacific Islanders, we understand that the ocean connects rather than divides. Our ancestors crossed vast distances guided by stars, currents, and knowledge passed down through generations. Today we are called to navigate a different challenge: safeguarding marine ecosystems while ensuring economic opportunity for our people.
I encourage residents of the CNMI, members of the diaspora, and friends of the Marianas to learn more and consider adding their voice to the Ocean Rights Declaration. Participation begins with awareness and grows through civic engagement, education, and responsible decision making at every level.
The ocean has carried us this far. It is time we stand clearly and publicly in support of its protection.
To learn more or to sign the declaration, visit www.oceanrights.com�.
By Eipéráng (Gregorie Michael Towai)
Gregorie Michael Towai is a cultural advocate and independent researcher from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands currently residing in Oregon.
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer.
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