American Samoa has goods that Tuvalu wants and Tuvalu has fish that American Samoa needs.
On Saturday the Tuvalu vessel MV Nivaga III is scheduled to make its maiden voyage to Pago Pago which if plans pan out will be a regular port of call for the Tuvalu boat.
The US Coast Guard has given approval for the Tuvalu boat to enter Pago Pago Harbor.
This was the Tuvalu Government vessel that was to deliver the canoe which Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga presented to Governor Lolo Moliga as the in coming chair of the Polynesian Leaders Summit.
However the boat couldn’t sail here without Coast Guard approval so the canoe and a group that had traveled from Tuvalu were off-loaded in Samoa, and they caught the Lady Naomi here last week.
The Tuvaluans entertained at last Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
The group from Tuvalu is awaiting the arrival of the Nivaga III to return home.
The governor’s executive assistant, Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, said the Coast Guard has authorized the maiden voyage of the vessel to the port of Pago Pago.
However since it’s the intention to make American Samoa a permanent port of call, USCG regulations will have to be satisfied.
The Governor has asked Port Administration to help MV Nivaga III satisfy all Coast Guard rules and regulations.
Iulogologo said Tuvalu has a sizable EEZ and it’s Governor Lolo’s hope that Tuvalu will be lenient to fishing vessels home-ported in American Samoa to fish there and off-load their catches at StarKist Samoa and Tri-Marine.
He added that it’s the governor’s vision to create trade with Tuvalu and the MV Nivaga III facilitates the accomplishment of this goal.
