American Samoa Congressman Faleomavaega has thrown his support behind a resolution introduced in the U.S. Congress calling for the elimination of foreign government fishing subsidies.
Faleomavaega says subsidies contribute to overcapacity in commercial fishing fleets worldwide and lead to over-fishing of global fish stocks.
The congressman says the resolution introduced by Guam Congresswoman, Madeleine Bordallo, is an important first step in developing a global plan to manage oceans responsibly.
He says he backs resolution because it would protect the local tuna industry, local fishing fleets, and oceans from the economic and ecological damage caused by the massive influx of subsidized foreign fishing boats into international waters.
He quoted a recent scientific study, which said that if the international community does not develop more sustainable commercial fishing practices there may be no commercial fish left in the sea by 2050.
