The president of the association of locally owned longliners, Tautai-O-Samoa Longline & Fishing Association, has thanked the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) for issuing the final rule which to allows vessels with American Samoa Longliner Limited Entry permits to fish in certain areas of the Limited Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA).
President Christina Lutu Sanchez says the decision is a result of a request their association made several years ago, and Friday their prayers were finally answered with this ruling.
She says the decision was made based on facts including economic and scientific data, which showed the grave conditions faced by the local U.S. longline fleet.
She cites the NMFS summary for the final rule, “the intent of this rule is to improve the viability of the American Samoa longline fishery”.
Lutu Sanchez also expressed the association’s appreciation to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC), Chairman Ebsui and council members, executive director Kitty Simonds and her staff for hearing their desperate pleas for help and for undertaking the decision making process that involved several public meetings and rigorous environmental review and analysis.
She also acknowledged support extended to the U.S./ American Samoa longline fleet by many in the community as well as their many colleagues in the tuna industry.
The Tautai president said,” This process has been lengthy, but we remained positive and grateful for those that support our local longline fishery.
This decision is critically important to the survival of the US-flagged, local American Samoa longline fleet. Our fleet, which is the last remaining US longline albacore fishery, is comprised of vessels owners that are indigenous American Samoans and local residents.
Lutu Sanchez said the longline fleet provides jobs to local people, supports local businesses through the provision of supplies and repairs, and provides US caught fish to the Pago Pago canneries and local market.
She goes on to say this decision does not favor one fishery over another as the LVPA fishing grounds now accessible have been underutilized especially since the collapse of the alia longline fishery.
The Tautai president states, “We support all fishing efforts here in American Samoa, whether they are for commercial purposes, recreational or subsistence, and we are eager to work with all American Samoa fishermen to ensure our canneries and local markets have high quality, locally caught fish.”
