New training boats for FMI

FSM FISHERIES AND MARITIME INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA-FSM

P.O. Box 1056Yap, FM 96943

Phone: (691)350-5244 Fax: (691)350-5245 Email: mewarmai@comfsm.fm

April 04, 2005

Monthly Updates, March 2005

Arriving on Continental evening flight on 02 April 2005 were Ms. Sakai Kikuko, a JICA expert in Fish Processing and Smoking, and Mr. Suito, expert in Fisheries Management and Program Development. Ms. Kikuko was dispatched for a short term only while Mr. Suito was dispatched for the whole duration of the fisheries project at FMI. Thus far, Ms. Sakai is revising the fisheries management course to include fish processing, one which that is very down-to-earth basic and would be very welcome among the local populace. This involves drying, salting and smoking of fish. Mr. Suito is amending some of the procedures used at the Institute for management, and has assisted in the repair of the radar simulator.
Because the experts came in using fiscal year 2004 budget, the money appropriated for their use has already been exhausted. Therefore, they would have to go back to Japan and come back under fiscal year 2005 budget. Ms. Kikuko left on March 25 th for Japan, while Mr. Suito will leave Yap on April 15. Both will return during the first week of June, just prior to the commencement of the Local Fishermen’s Workshop which will take place on Yap.
The trip for the second year navigation class departed Yap port in the evening of Monday, March 21 st, and returned on March 23 rd, Wednesday, in the evening. Despite some set back, mainly due to seasickness, the trip was a success for the students. For the first time, they were able to navigate on their own, the Hokuto for Yap to Ngulu and back; for the first time, they were able to identify the stars in the sky, together with some star constellations by the use of the Star Identification templates; for the first time, they were able to feel and see the influence of the seas and the winds on the navigation of a ship while she progresses through the water; for the first time, they were able to be conscious of the natural phenomena that surround them and of the importance of weather forecasting. The trip really gave them a huge confidence in navigation, although they are very conscious of the adverse effect that the nature can bring to a ship.
As part of the new restructuring in addressing communication, FMI has established an opportunity of sharing information among its staff and students. It established a general meeting for core staff/faculty for every Monday at 0800H and Friday for everybody at 1600H. Meetings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for Student Services are at 0900H, for Instructional Affairs are at 1100H, and for Administration are at 1130H. This schedule is on a trial basis for one month, after which determination will be made either to improve on it or discard it and make another one.
It is planned that by April 2005 an advisory council will be constituted which will assist the FMI Administration in steering the school in the right direction with respect to relevance of courses as they relate to the development of the FSM and Yap State in particular. It is expected that there will be seven members who will be drawn from the public sector involved in the fisheries and maritime related activities, from the private sector engaged in commercial fishing activities and in maritime commerce, a company or individual who has a vested interest in commercial fishing or maritime commerce, and a prominent citizen.
As was reported during the Board meeting on Yap in March 2005, the former Instructional Coordinator for FMI, Mr. Tioti Teburea, had submitted his resignation from that post. He asserted that he did not want to abandon his teaching status. Accordingly, FSM FMI had to seek again for a replacement. Mr. Marcellino Jibemai, the senior instructor for Marine Engineering, agreed to take on the position for Instructional Coordinator for FMI for a short period of time.