American Samoan Issues Hot Topic at World Tuna Conferenceff

American Samoa's top political leaders have been invited to attend the 2004 World Tuna Trade Conference, where Congressman Faleomavega Eni has been invited to be a speaker at the international gathering set for June 3-5 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The event is being organized by INFOFISH in collaboration with FAO-GLOBEFISH, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Thai Food Processor's Association, World Tuna Purse Seiner Organization (WTPO), Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), and the Thailand government's Department of Fisheries and supported by atuna.com.

“Considering your expertise and wide interest in issues related to international seafood trade, we wish to invite you to the TUNA 2004 Conference and Exhibition as an honorary guest," wrote INFOFISH director Dr. S. Subasinghe to Faleomavaega in February this year, inviting him as a guest and a speaker during the opening session.

The Congressman reminded that Thailand is American Samoa's largest competitor and the U.S. is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with Thailand. “Again, I am fighting to protect American Samoa's economy and future by opposing the inclusion of canned tuna in any agreement that may be negotiated,” Faleomavaega wrote. “At the same time, I believe it is in the Territory's interest to know as much about the world tuna industry as possible. First and foremost, we can expect that every tuna catching nation will appeal to the United States to reduce or eliminate tariffs for canned tuna.”

Given the fact that American Samoa's economy is more than 80 percent dependant, either directly or indirectly on the U.S. tuna fishing and processing industries, Faleomavaega reminds the local political leaders, that "we should make our presence known" at the World Tuna Conference.

In a separate statement regarding the conference, Faleomavaega said that he and StarKist "have joined together and stand united in our position to oppose duty-free treatment for Thailand."

Faleomavaega said he is scheduled to testify on May 4, 2004 before International Trade Commission and “fully explain why the jobs of more than 5,150 workers in American Samoa must be protected at all costs.”

The Congressman further points out that he and StarKist president Don Binotto are both committed to making sure that American Samoa's tuna industry is protected.

He said, “a decrease in production or departure of one or both of our canneries could devastate our local economy resulting in massive unemployment and insurmountable financial difficulties.”

According to Dr. Subasinghe, over 550 participants are scheduled to attend the conference including 35 expert speakers from the industry, from nearly 55 countries, such as Thailand, the U.S., Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia.

Leaders from tuna companies such as StarKist, Chicken of the Sea/Samoa Packing, Thai Union, and Bumble Bee are scheduled to attend.

The www.infofish.org website for the conference informs the gathering is to learn about the latest developments in the industry, discuss problems, establish new business links, renew contacts and contracts, and promote their products and services.

Faleomavaega said the conference will also focus on the trends in the global tuna industry, in the areas of products, markets, trade policies, tuna cannery reduction, and environmental issues.

On April 8, Dr. Subasinghe sent several letters of invitations to key local political leaders in American Samoa.

Faleomavaega said he is hopeful that the local leaders will join him in Thailand for this important event, held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok between from June 3rd and 5th, 2004.