Managaha Marine Conservation Area

Located on the western side of Saipan Island and within the Saipan Lagoon, the Isle of Mañagaha is a sand island protected by barrier reef from storm surge and has both sandy shoal bottom and coral reef garden habitat surrounding the Isle. Designated as a marine conservation area, the Island of Mañagaha is maintained as an uninhabited place and used only for cultural and recreational purposes. The Isle is the burial site of Carolinian Chief Aghirubw where traditional fishing, harvesting of medicinal plants, and conducting the ceremony of Fuirrurow occurred. The Isle and its surrounding waters exist as protected recreational and educational areas, safe habitats fo fish and other marine life to exist and propagate for the continued use and enjoyment of the people.

Species of Concern: multiple

Restrictions

The following activities are prohibited:
1. Killing or removing, or attempting to remove, any marine animal or plant, including but not limited to any fishes, coral (live or dead), lobster, shellfish, clams or octopus.
2. Using any type of food or other attractant for the purposes of attracting fish (e.g. fish feeding, baiting, etc.).
3. Anchoring of any vessel except in case of actual emergency, or for scientific purposes permitted by the Division
4. Removing, defacing, damaging or destroying any cultural or historic artifact, natural object, buoy, sign or other structure.
5. Carrying on any commercial or industrial activity, except for certain concessions.
6. Disturbing or removing any substrate, sand, or other material.
7. Dumping or depositing any rubbish, waste material or substance that would degrade or alter the quality of the environment.

Allowed

Recreational and cultural use of marine reserves is allowed and encouraged to the extent that such activities are compatible with the marine conservation and management objectives of the conservation area. The Director may place limitations on recreational and cultural use of a marine reserve, or any portion thereof, if such use would have a detrimental impact on species, habitats, or environmental conditions within the marine reserve.
The Director may, upon request from the Secretary or Resident Director from the island on which the marine reserve is located, issue limited, temporary fishing permits.
Docking at piers, offshore anchoring, or mooring at buoys.