American Samoa's governor has told a federal official if the local tuna industry collapses, American Samoa expects the US to save the territory's economy.
Lolo Matalasi Moliga says the US should seek input from American Samoa before it makes policies or agreements that would affect the territory.
He told the Assistant Secretary for the Interior for Insular Areas, Esther Kia'aina, half the territory's economy is dependent on the tuna industry, and it is in American Samoa's interests to ensure it receives a stable supply of fish.
Our correspondent says the South Pacific US Tuna treaty for 2015 is concerning for tuna boats that supply the canneries because the number of fishing days has been reduced, while the cost of licences has increased.
