25 Mar 2009

American Samoa hosts WPRFMC gathering

9:24 am on 25 March 2009

American Samoa will host this week the 144th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and issues dealing with American Samoa are on the agenda.

The meeting opens today in Pago Pago and runs through Thursday and the council has issued an open invitation to the public to attend these meetings.

One of the 12-issues on the agenda for discussion is the U.S. purse seine use of fish aggregating devices in the U.S. Pacific exclusive economic zone, which has attracted much attention from boat owners and fishermen.

According to a council official, the U.S. purse seine vessels fish primarily on with aggregating devices, which can result in high catches of juvenile tuna and unwanted fish.

Another issue of interest to American Samoa on the meeting's agenda is called the "Fishing Regulations For the Pacific National Marine Monuments", that would affect fishing around the Rose Atoll National Marine Monument.