ASG urged to get community input for new marine conservation plan

wpfmc-members

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting yesterday voted to undertake several actions regarding American Samoa fisheries operating in federal waters.

That is 3 to 200 nautical miles offshore.

The Council noted that the American Samoa Marine Conservation Plan expires in mid-2018 and recommended that American Samoa Government (ASG) conduct meetings with relevant stakeholders to develop its new MCP before submitting it to the Council in early 2018.

The MCP identifies fishery development projects to be funded from certain fines or fees received from fisheries in the US exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around American Samoa.

Photos: Sylvia Spalding

The Council will ask ASG to consider which department should have permitting and enforcement authority for sand mining regulations, provide outreach and review the regulations to ensure they are in line with other natural resource management programs.

It will also encourage ASG to build capacity to collaborate between the government and communities in ongoing natural resource management and education/outreach efforts.

The Council will ask the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources to distinguish between foreign longline and domestic longline in the retail fish vendor data and to provide its needs regarding data collection staff capacity and funding.

The Council recommended that the ASG commit to identifying funds for the construction of the longline dock extension or the Council will consider reprograming the funds it has to support the project.

The Council will ask that Samoa Tuna Processors  allow American Samoa longline vessels to access the STP’s small dock, which the Council helped fund.

The Council will also ask the company for a status update on its facility and operations in American Samoa.

STP closed in December of last year leaving StarKist as the sole operational tuna cannery in the territory.

Local members of the WPFMC are Vaamua Henry Sesepasara, Christinna Lutu and Archie Taotasi Soliai.