There has been in a call in American Samoa to stop the possible listing of coral species under the Endangered Species Act because of major repercussions on subsistence fishers
A local lawmaker put the request to a meeting of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council in Pago Pago.
Va'amua Henry Sesepasara says many traditional fishing methods are conducted on the reef and if coral species being proposed for listing are found on the reef, Samoans would be in trouble.
He also says many Samoan women walk on the reef and use sticks and iron rods to look for octopus, or collect snails and sea urchins.
Of the 66 coral species being proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act, 46 are found in American Samoa.
