Tautai o Samoa Longline and Fishing Association will not operate the Fish Market at the marketplace in Fagatogo.
The association of local longline owners had been picked as the successful bidder to operate the fish market however last month association President Christinna Lutu Sanchez informed Director of Commerce Keniseli Lafaele that Tautua was rescinding its offer,.
Lutu Sanchez told the DOC Director in a March 30 letter that the association’s decision not to take over the fish market was due to inaction by DOC staff to negotiate terms and conditions for the takeover and because they have learned a DOC staffer was actively soliciting another operator even though Tauta’s proposal had already been selected as the winner.
KHJ News asked DOC Director Lafaele about Tautai’s decision and what happens to the fish market now.
He says Tautai o Samoa was selected by DOC to operate the fish market in hopes of further developing our local fishery, especially with regards to growing the market for fresh, locally caught bottom fish.
Lafaele noted that Tautai had proposed a plan that met DOC’s expectations and requirements, and showed they had the resources to make it happen.
But he said unfortunately before negotiations were complete, Tautai o Samoa notified him they were rescinding their proposal.
The DOC Director doesn’t disclose details of their negotiations with Tautai saying “as a matter of principle, Ill keep negotiations confidential but I was optimistic and prepared to do what was necessary, within reason, to make this happen.“
Lafaele wishes Tautai o Samoa the very best and thanks them for participating in the process.
In moving forward, the DOC Director reiterates that their mission remains the same- for the Fagatogo fish market to support our local fishermen.
Lafaele says they are regrouping and will notify the public of their plans when finalized.
The President of Tautai Longline and Fishing Associations Lutu Sanchez declined to discuss the lease rates that DOC proposed for the fish market.
However documents obtained by KHJ News show that DOC came up with a lease rate of $2000 per month which is 400% more than what the previous tenant paid for the fish market.
The previous tenant is Fuega Moliga, an alia fisherman and brother of Governor Lolo Moliga.
Another lease condition that Tautai apparently objected to was that they obtain insurance coverage for the fish market in the value of $1.2 million,
Lutu Sanchez writes in an April 14 letter to the DOC Director that Tautai and DOC are far apart in expectations and the lease that ASG presented shows “poor knowledge of the industry and lack of good faith by ASG to offer such terms.”
According to the Tautai President the main purpose of their proposal was to help develop small scale fisheries but it is impossible to develop a fleet without a market.
She points out that the longliners have the canneries to deliver to, so they don’t need a market.
In addition it’s difficult to develop fisheries when there are contradicting agendas by those in charge of development such as a preference for one fishery over another which is their primary reasons for rescinding their proposal.
The Tautai President told Lafaele, “We prefer not to participate in this clash of interest, as it is inefficient and non productive. “
