Representatives of the Manu’a islands have urged the House Committee on Marine and Wildlife Resources to support their opposition to a recommendation to allow commercial fishing within 12 miles of Rose Atoll.
At present, Rose Atoll is designated a marine National Monument, and commercial fishing is prohibited within a 50-mile radius. However, the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council is considering opening up commercial fishing within 12 to 50 miles.
Subsistence fishing by local alia and recreational vessels is currently allowed between 12 to 50 miles.
At a hearing of the House Marine and Wildlife Resources Committee on Friday, Manu’a District Governor Poumele Pete Galeai, and chiefs Tuileama Motusa Nua, Vesi Fautanu Jr., and Rev Tili Tavita, along with Brian Peck, a former US Fish and Wildlife Service Manager for Rose Atoll, urged the Committee to recommend to the Council to maintain the current prohibition on commercial fishing within a 50-mile radius.
They said that allowing commercial fishing near Rose would harm the pristine state of the atoll, threatening marine species, birds, turtles, and plant life of the atoll
The Manu’a representatives said that recent meetings conducted by NOAA in Manu’a and Tutuila did not give sufficient notice to residents of Manu’a about the plans for Rose Atoll. As a result, very few residents attended or understood the issues.
It was revealed by Vesi that when they met with Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, he had already signed in August a letter of support to allow commercial fishing near Rose Atoll based on advice by local members of the Council.
He said the Governor was surprised when they informed him of their opposition.
Tuileama Motusa Nua said there was a sense of urgency as the WesPac Council is to meet on December 15, and Rose atoll is on the agenda.
The Manu’a representatives said this was the only part of American Samoa where commercial fishing is closed up to 50 miles and it should be preserved as is.
Manu’a District Governor Poumele stated emphatically that the “we are not stupid for the federal government to tell us what to do. We can decide for ourselves,” and reiterated Manu’a opposition to the WesPac proposal.
House Representatives who were present at the hearing included Committee Chairman Rep. Su’a Alex Jennings, Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu, Tiaoalii Faugaiga Sai, Ape Asifoa, Trude Ledoux-Sunia, and Sauasetoa Ho Ching. All expressed support to maintin the staTus quo and not allow commercial fishing near Rose Atoll.
The Manu’a group asked that the Committee sign a petition advocating not to allow commercial fishing within the 50-mile zone around Rose Atoll.
Chairman Jennings indicated that the Committee hoped to send a strong resolution opposing any plan to allow commercial fishing near Rose Atoll.
