Governor Lolo Moliga has written to the eight Pacific states that are Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) for favorable treatment of fishing vessels based in the territory.
Due to new requirements agreed to in the new South Pacific Tuna Treaty between 16 Pacific states (including New Zealand and Australia) and the United States of America, US fishing vessels need to fulfill new requirements for fishing access to Pacific Island waters through to 2022 – by 1 August 2016.
The governor says in a letter to the Government of Tuvalu, “It is a blessing to our people that your strong representation salvaged the Treaty,”
“We have a strong interest in using this momentum to forge a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship with the Government of Tuvalu, to provide a robust exchange of information and a shared vision to optimize the use and management of our resources for the benefit of our peoples.
“As a result of the Tuna Treaty talks, US flagged boats that are based and supply tuna to canneries in American Samoa must fulfill certain requirements of the Tuna Treaty with your country by August 1, 2016.
“Please be informed that the American Samoa Government to the extent feasible and appropriate will support boat owners’ offers of employment, human resource building and other benefits as they negotiate with your country. American Samoa enjoys a strong mutually beneficial relationship with these boats and we hope to facilitate a relationship that is advantageous for all.”
“I look forward to working together in the spirit of reciprocity to protect and sustainable advance our interests.
Governor Lolo’s letter to the eight PNA members is not surprising as they control around 50 per cent of the global supply of skip jack tuna, the most commonly canned tuna.
