Aumua Provides Fisheries Update to Task Force

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Congresswoman Aumua Amata met this week with representatives of the Governor’s Fisheries Task force and fishing-related businesses to  update them on  issues that are important to them.

Responding to KHJ News on what was covered at the meeting, Aumua said the Governor’s Fisheries Task Force was anxious for an update on her fishing bill.

In February, Aumua Amata and Alaska Representative Don Young co-introduced a bill to help ensure that US vessels have access to fishing grounds in both the north and South Pacific.

The  Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act  ensures that the U.S. fleet is well represented when it comes to decisions regarding the management of fisheries in the Pacific, and that the two canneries in American Samoa, StarKist Samoa and Samoa Tuna Processors are supplied with fish

The bill has passed the US Senate and is back  in the House of Representatives to iron out any concerns.

Congresswoman Aumua said if the concerns can be resolved she doesn’t foresee having to hold a markup which would be a good thing.

She explained there will be a conference call with Ways and Means staff to resolve any differences.

Aumua said things look good for the fisheries bill..

On another note, she said she and the task force are tag teaming on helping the US fishing fleet.  To that end she has prepared a letter of strong support to the feds.

She  will also participate in a House Foreign Affairs hearing on U.S. policy in the Pacific islands.

Chairman Salmon has invited her to attend the June 23 hearing and she has accepted.

Congresswoman Aumua said this is a good opportunity to question the State Department about the tuna treaty negotiations and how they need to look out more for the US fishing fleet’s interests instead of being more concerned with foreign nations.

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