The U.S. House passed, late Tuesday, for a second time, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s South Pacific Tuna Treaty. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
Amata’s bill to make law 2016 negotiated changes to the 1988 South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act, passed in the House in the last Congress, but stalled in the Senate as part of a larger Coast Guard bill.
Now, the bill co-sponsored by Hawaii’s Ed Case, has passed a second time in the House under fast-track rules, but in the first session of this Congress, giving it more time and a better chance to be enacted.
Amata told her House colleagues the legislation will end years of uncertainty for South Pacific tuna fishermen…
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(Transc.) Amata: “These changes are important to support the American fishing fleet in the South Pacific – of which many boats call American Samoa home. These changes improve the operating conditions and flexibility for the fleet – which is America’s last true distant water fishing fleet.”
The earlier treaty allowed U.S. tuna purse-seine vessels to fish in the exclusive economic zones of 16 Pacific Island nations.
But the 2016 improvements NOAA negotiated with the signatory countries were not self-executing, thus the need for HR 1792 which allows NOAA to implement them with regulations.
And Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman says marks a significant milestone…
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(Transc.) Westerman: “Mr. Speaker, on April 17th American Samoa celebrated 125 years as a territory of the United States. As we observe this historic milestone, enacting this legislation will ensure that the United States continues its strong presence in the Pacific region.”
Amata’s bill had bi-partisan support and passed in full committee by a unanimous vote when it was first introduced.
The measure provides more flexibility for US fleets and the Pacific Island countries to negotiate access levels and keep a stable operating environment.
NOAA and the American Tuna Boat Association testified in support of the legislation.
The South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act also ensures American Samoa’s tuna fleet has access to the high seas, crucial for the cannery and local economy.
The bill now heads again to the Senate.
