The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has started the process to designate a massive area in the Pacific Ocean a marine sanctuary, following up on a proposal by the Biden administration.
The proposal made in late March aims to create a new marine sanctuary using the National Marine Sanctuaries Act around the Pacific Remote Islands Area, a set of islands in the central Pacific Ocean.
The proposal includes the existing Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument and currently unprotected areas of land and water, covering the full extent of the US exclusive economic zone.
If approved, the proposed sanctuary would cover an area of 770,000 square miles.
Leaders of US Pacific territories, including Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacious, have opposed the proposal.
Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga sent a letter to President Joe Biden registering American Samoa’s strong opposition to the plan.
He said the concerns he raised in a June 15, 2022 letter urging the president to consider “the devastating impact” this designation could have on our small island home, have not changed.
“Our community is staunchly opposed to the expansion of Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), as proposed by the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition (Appendix 1),” said Lemanu.
“The restrictions on commercial fishing that will result from this designation will cripple the single largest private industry in our economy. I implore you to please take into account the serious cultural and financial impacts that this proposed action will have on the people of American Samoa.
His letter to the president continued, “As the Governor of a small island territory, I am more than aware of the effects of climate change and the need for preservation of natural resources. The people of American Samoa experience first-hand the results of environmental degradation. Unfortunately, this designation, however well-intentioned, is not in the best interest of Pacific Islanders. The creation of a marine sanctuary in the PRIA will be yet another devastating nail in the coffin for the tuna industry that supports our small, fragile economy.”
The Governor stressed that the PRIA and the high seas have been important traditional fishing grounds for American Samoa-based U.S. flagged purse seine vessels that supply approximately 70% of the tuna needed to sustain our local cannery. Due to the creation of the Marine National Monument by President Bush in 2009 and expansion by President Obama in 2014 and 2016, more than 50% of the U.S. EEZ’s in the Pacific are closed to commercial fishing which includes the American Samoa-based U.S. flagged tuna vessels.
“Losing the tuna industry here in American Samoa would mean more than just the loss of almost 5000 jobs,” the Governor pressed. “It would also result in a 40% increase in shipping and freight costs and a dramatic increase in electricity costs for residents. Without access to these traditional fishing grounds, our tuna industry and entire economy will be annihilated.”
Lemanu didn’t miss the opportunity to tell the US President that the views of the people of American Samoa should be sought before such drastic actions affecting them are made.
“Our people deserve to be consulted before these actions or policies are implemented, and I request an immediate audience with your Secretary of Commerce to discuss our concerns prior to any action being taken.”
