Swains Representative Su’a Alexander Jennings has introduced a House Concurrent Resolution to retain all current protections of the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. Such protections, according to the resolution, would include the prohibition of commercial fishing within 50 nautical miles of Rose Atoll.
The resolution also requests that the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council recommend to NOAA Fisheries that the projections afforded to Rose Atoll and its waters as a marine national monument remain in place.
The measure states that WestPac has represented at public meetings that it is considering three recommendations to NOAA Fisheries with respect to commercial fishing in the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument. 1) is to take no action, 2) is to recommend removal of regulations that prohibit commercial fishing and 3) recommend the removal of regulations that prohibit commercial fishing while providing for other regulations.
The resolution resolves that the American Samoa Legislature formally request WestPac to note the objection of the Fono to any changes to the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, adopt a no action recommendation and recommend to NOAA Fisheries that no action be taken with respect to the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
