Governor defends ASG’s no vote on LVPA

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Governor Lolo Moliga defends the position of ASG in voting no on four recommendations of the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council relating to the Large Vessel Prohibited Area.

Speaking to KHJ News yesterday, the governor said unless the Council is willing to withdraw its appeal on the federal court ruling which reversed a rule that was instigated by the Council to allow longliners to fish within 12 miles from shore in local waters, ASG will maintain its current position.

Saying that he knows American Samoa’s fishing grounds because he used to be an avid fisherman, Lolo said bottom fish that our people rely on for food congregate in the various banks, not in the deep ocean.

“So waters close to shore should be preserved for our people, for our island fisherman.”

The US District Court of Honolulu decided that allowing longliners to fish within 12 miles from shore had ignored the two Deeds of Cession with the United States.

Lolo also pointed out that research is showing there’s a chance that the east and south bank may be overfished, so it behooves the leaders of the territory to act and prevent any further loss of fertile fishing grounds to large vessels.

Local longliner owners say that the ASG position doesn’t take into account that they too are protected by the Deeds of Cession but the government isn’t taking notice of their investments which are providing jobs and putting money in the local economy.

The governor said while the appeal of the federal court ruling is active,  American Samoa will not support any recommendation relating to  the LVPA.

Lolo said, “If the council withdraws its appeal , we are willing to sit down and talk with them. But don’t force what they want on us.  We are simply preserving our resources for our people, now and for the future.  The council has the large body of ocean beyond 50 miles to make rules on. “