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NORMA Executive Director Dies on July 7, 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): July 20, 2010 - Bernard Thoulag, Executive Director of the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA), died unexpectedly on July 7, 2010. Thoulag had arrived in PNG on that same day to attend the Sixth Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries (FFA) Committee Ministerial Meeting.

Thoulag, the son of Joseph and Teila Hasedal, was born on March 27, 1951, on the island of Mogmog in Ulithi Atoll, an outer island of Yap State. He attended Xavier High School (XHS) in Chuuk, graduated in 1970, and then attended Chaminade University of Hawaii. Upon graduating from university, Thoulag returned to Ulithi to teach at the Outer Island High School, where he later became the first Micronesian Principal. In 1985, he began his career with the FSM National Government, as a Foreign Service Officer of the FSM Department of External Affairs.

Thoulag became Deputy Director of NORMA in 1989, and then served as Executive Director from 1993, until his passing. The mission of the Authority is to be the effective guardian and manager of the living and non-living resources in the 200-miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the FSM. Thoulag developed a number of important regional fisheries initiatives over the years affecting the EEZ, earning the respect of his colleagues as a leader, mentor and friend.

As a graduate of XHS, Thoulag established the Xavier Yap Outer Island Scholarship Fund in 2002, with the help from friends and fellow alumni. The fund to date, has enabled three outer island Yapese Students to attend and graduate from XHS. To honor his memory, Thoulag's family and XHS will continue to maintain this scholarship and welcome all contributions from friends (please contact btxiissf@gmail.com).

Thoulag is survived by his wife Jean and their six children: Shaun Suliol, Russell Marechmai, Walter Marpa, Walterene Hathiya-Weilbacher, Megan Tagalaiol and Keyna Tamelyor.