American Samoa represented at WCPFC meeting

wcpfc-honolulu

American Samoa has a large delegation at the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Commission which opened this morning in Hawaii.

The commission also known as the Tuna Commission regulates fishing in high seas areas in the Pacific Ocean.

The local delegation is led by Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Vaamua Henry Sesepasara and includes the Chairman of the American Samoa Fisheries Task Force Solip Hong, the governor’s assistant legal counsel Alema Leota, Archie Soliai, Phil Key Shin and Hong Yoon of StarKist,  Taulapapa Willie Sword and Ed Husseine of Pacific Energy, Joe Hamby of Tri Marine International  and Peter Lamy of Intermational Cargo Support.

For American Samoa opening access  to near water fishing grounds is a priority.

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement want fishing vessel labor standards adopted by the commission at this week’s meeting.

They have written a draft resolution which the FFA said was in line with its goal of enhancing economic benefits for Small Island Developing States from employment on board fishing vessels licensed to fish in their exclusive economic zones.

FFA director general, Manu Tupou- Roosen, said the agency wanted better employment opportunities for its members but had to ensure the vessels provided safe working conditions with fair employment conditions.

A ‘fisheries roadmap’ adopted by Pacific leaders has set a target for Pacific Islanders to attain 33,000 jobs in the fishing industry by 2023.

At the moment there are about 23,000 Pacific Island employees across the sector, with 15,000 of these jobs in tuna processing, the vast majority being women.