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15^th Day of Session

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Congress): October 28, 2002 - Congress discussed, during its session October 28, issues regarding fishing activities in the FSM as reported by the fishing companies during a public hearing conducted by the Committee on Resources and Development right before the session.

The committee invited officials of the businesses sector, especially those associated with fishing activities in the FSM, to talk about improving the fishing industry in the nation. Attraction of foreign fishing vessels, clearing of fishing vessels at ports, bait and licensing were among the issues raised during this hearing. The Resources and Development Committee will continue its hearings tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

In plenary today and during discussion on those fishing issues, members raised the problem of employees of the department doing the clearing of vessels that during working hours, the work could be done within 20 minutes, but during weekends and after working hours, it takes longer than two hours to clear vessels. The business of shark fishing was also raised where members asked the appropriate departments or offices to provide statistics or documents regarding the sustainability of the sharks population in our water.

A bill to amend the FSM Immigration Law passed 1^st Reading in today's session. The bill, C.B. No. 12-63 CD 1 regarding entry permit, would clarify the entry permit exception for citizens and nationals of the United States of America, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic Palau. Entry permits would be issued for a period not to exceed five years provided that the applicant has resided continuously in the FSM for at least five years.

There were some presidential communication on the order of business, which reflected names of individuals nominated by the president to be member of the FSM Social Security Board, the FSM Banking Board and the FSM Public Auditor position.

Mr. Nahoy G. Selifis is being proposed to be on the Social Security Board along with Mr. Charles Chieng. Mr. Mathew Y. Chigiyal and Ms Senny L. Phillips are nominated for the Banking Board. Finally, Mr. Haser Hainrick is now nominated for the position of the Public Auditor.

Given the limited time available for committees to complete their works, Congress takes another break from plenary to concentrate on its committees and agrees to recess until Wednesday, October 30, at 10:00 in the morning.