The association of locally owned longliners, Tautai Samoa Longline Fishing Association, is pleased with the recent reversal by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, of the ruling by the Hawaii Federal District Court concerning the Long Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) issue.
The Federal District Court decision excluded locally owned longline fishing boats from fishing within the 12 mile limit of American Samoa’s territorial waters.
American Samoa had sued federal fisheries agencies like National Marine Fisheries Service, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WesPac) and others, over a rule by WesPac which would have allowed local longliners to fish within 12 miles from shore, instead of 50 miles from shore.
The Hawaii Federal District Court ruled in favor of American Samoa.
However in a ruling last Friday, the appeals court reversed the decision.
President of the Tautai Samoa Longline Fishing Association Vince Haleck said the American Samoan longliners are contracted to deliver tuna to Starkist Samoa tuna cannery thus supporting American Samoa’s economy.
“Granting the locally owned long liners the option to fish outside of American Samoa’s 12-miles will help boost the viability and increase the long term success of our fishing operations. We appreciate this opportunity and see this ruling as a way to enhance our ability to contribute more to American Samoa’s economy,” said Haleck.
