Recreational fishing allowed in parts of marine sanctuary

buds-and-suds

Seventeen recreational fishing boats and alia have headed out to sea on this first day of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Buds and Suds Fishing Tournament.

SOPAC is sponsoring the two day tournament which follows a very successful one last year.

This time small alia are competing with the larger recreational fishing boats and the fishing will take place in parts of the national marine sanctuary except for no take areas.

This week an official from the Sustainable Fisheries Division of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Andrew Torres, has been working with the local sanctuary staff and recreational fishing community.

Torres said his visit fulfills a promise made last December that his office will assist the US Pacific jurisdictions to advance the interest of recreational and non commercial fishers.

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