Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has implored the Biden Administration for fishing rights in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the President recently ordered expanded. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye with that story…
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It was the latest attempt by Congresswoman Amata to get the administration to pay attention to the needs of American Samoa’s commercial fishing industry—this time in person, with agency officials at the witness table…
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The Congresswoman’s office says she hasn’t gotten a written response to her letter but Amata thanked the administration for scheduling listening sessions in the Pacific territories, including American Samoa.
NOAA Deputy Administrator Jainey Bavishi responded at the Natural Resources Committee hearing…
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Bavishi said that meeting is scheduled today, Wednesday, in the territory…and NOAA is also looking at a “Small Island Developing State,” or ‘SIDS’ status for American Samoa’s flagged commercial fishing fleet.
Uifa’atali Amata reminded Bavishi and Fish and Wildlife Service chief Martha Williams who initially assured her in writing, there were no plans to expand PRIMNM, that fishing is a national security issue…
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…That, as President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, last week, attended the G-7 summit in Japan and Blinken signed a security pact with Papua New Guinea to counter the PRC.
And Congresswoman Amata ensured there was no mistaking her position…
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The pros and cons of the sanctuary plan will be presented at a scoping meeting that NOAA Is hosting from 4 to 6 this evening at the Tauese Pita Sunia Ocean Center. Comments on the plan are being accepted until June 2nd.
