Stranded Tuna Fishermen Increasing Problem In Samoaff

Congressman Faleomavaega Eni offers suggestions how American Samoa should address the continued problem of Chinese fishermen who get stranded in American Samoa because boat owners do not pay them.

In late September into early October, several Chinese fishermen alleged they had not received their pay for a long time, and they were beaten and not given any food by the captain of their fishing vessel. The news reached the Congressman's office, and Faleomavaega is raising serious concerns over this problem.

Then last month, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF) contacted Faleomavaega's office after Rev. Chris Evans of the Pago Pago Seafarer’s Center reported to them that fishermen, 18 Vietnamese, 19 Chinese and one Fijian, were stranded in the territory after their fishing vessel left the island without paying its crew for the last catch.

The Congressman sprang into action and made contact with Chinese officials in the U.S. for a meeting, and then assigned the matter to one of his aides to conduct a review.

”As you are aware, this is not the first time that we have had this problem in American Samoa,” said Faleomavaega from Washington, “Before initiating anything with the countries represented in Washington D.C., e.g. Taiwan, Peoples Republic of China, South Korea, I thought at least to have my staff conduct a review of the facts and how this is connected with American Samoa.”

”I have come to the conclusion that this is what needs to be done. First, supervision and treatment of foreign vessels coming into port in American Samoa is a matter that should be addressed by ASG,” he said. “Second, the Fono should conduct hearings immediately and call in the representatives from Customs, Immigration, the canneries and also the agents who represent the owners of these vessels for questioning.”

”There has got to be some form of control on the incoming and outgoing of these vessels, so that once they off load their catch and get paid - and of course pay also the crew, etc. - then they are authorized to leave port.”

”One very serious problem that has also happened with these fishermen is the problem of STOWAWAYS, and how many have ended up working for the local Korean and Chinese and Samoan businesses. You only need to find out the number of Chinese 'farmers' that are farming Samoan lands, and controlled by who?” he noted.

Although he has no problem with hiring foreign nationals working in American Samoa, Faleomavaega specified, “If they are here illegally, they should be deported and the owners of the vessel who brought them in the territory should bear the burden of paying for their airfares back home, whether they are from the People's Republic of China or Taiwan etc.”

”I realize the sensitivity of this issue, given the fact that albacore is fished primarily by these long-line vessels, and the price of the albacore is five times more expensive than the skip jack - but as a matter of public policy of ASG, the owners who bring these fishermen should be totally responsible for their welfare and return home,” he concluded.

This ongoing problem does not seem to go away as it was only last year that 50 Chinese fishermen showed up at Samoa News seeking help after they were stranded here without food and money.

A senior government official told Samoa News earlier this week that the Fono and the Administration really need to sit down and draft stricter laws pertaining to these fishing vessels, when it comes to non-payment of wages.

”Someone has to take responsibility for these fishermen, who do not even speak English but are stranded in a foreign land. Just because the canneries are located here does not mean American Samoa should be the dumping ground for foreign fishermen,” said the official, who asked not be identified.