Controversy Over Foreign Built Boats Licensed To Fish Tuna In US Pacific Islandsff

The chairman of the United States Tuna Boat Owners Coalition says a measure introduced by American Samoa’s congressional delegate will undermine the U.S. fishing fleet based in Pago Pago Harbor, and could damage the two tuna canneries that prop up the territory’s economy.

In a statement issued yesterday, Joe Finete said legislation introduced by Del. Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, which was attached as an amendment to the House Coast Guard Authorization Act in April, will damage U.S. fishing interests and the canneries. The measure is now pending in the U.S. Congress.

“It is shocking to discover that Faleomavaega’s provision gives foreign-built boats, without any apparent payment, the right to fish in the vast waters around the U.S. islands north of Samoa: Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Island.  Fishing in these islands’ waters is currently reserved under law for boats built under the U.S. flag, including of course, American Samoa.  The Delegate drastically understates the number of boats in the U.S. tuna fleet to justify his scheme to allow Asian-built boats to take fish in our waters and undermine American Samoa’s ship-building potential,” he wrote in a June 26, 2008 letter to American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono, which he provided to news organizations yesterday.

Finete, whose organization represents U.S. fishing boats that are based in American Samoa, also said Faleomavaega’s legislation could result in fewer catches being delivered to the two tuna canneries in American Samoa.

“Contrary to Faleomavaega’s assertions, virtually all of our Pago-based boats deliver our tuna fish to American Samoa canneries.  I am sure you have been watching for many years our boats going out and returning to deliver fish to American Samoa’s canneries.  Therefore, you may be aware that our Pago-based boats have contracts with the canneries to deliver our catch, which obviates the need for contracts with the American Samoa Government that has no canneries.”

“Our boats use the latest technologies and monitoring procedures to insure tuna is dolphin-safe and to eliminate any adverse by-catch.  You can be certain we always feel proud and fortunate to return home from grueling long-distance fishing to one of the finest, peaceful, deepwater ports in the Pacific --- where the American flag flies,” Finete said.

“Regrettably, to our dismay, the newest licensed tuna boats in the fleet, not based in Pago, have been catching fish all year, and to our knowledge, have not brought any fish to the canneries.  This is not surprising, as they have no contract with the canneries, nor have they hired anyone from American Samoa.

“This established pattern is alarming as it demonstrates that under the Delegate’s bill there is no guarantee that foreign-built boats will deliver their catch to the canneries in Pago or employ any people from American Samoa, especially since they have contracts elsewhere and would be free to transship their fish to a mother ship and ignore our labor and environmental standards.”

Finete, who thanked Togiola and Fono leaders Sen. Lolo M. Moliga and Rep. Savali T. Ale for their support of the U.S. fleet, said most of the American boats had a long relationship with American Samoa and hoped to maintain those ties.

“As you may know, many of the Pago-based boats have relations with American Samoa that go back over 40 years.  We consider this our home and have developed deep ties with many employees, friends, and people in the community.  We consider the millions of dollars spent locally on fuel, supplies, services, and fees and taxes as an investment in our collective future,” he said.