Amata’s Legislation Included in SHARE Act

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed action by the House Natural Resources Committee, which passed a bill including language she authored to protect the territory from unnecessary fishing restrictions being imposed by a federal agency without American Samoa's agreement.

"I'm pleased that legislative language I authored has been included in a bill that passed the Natural Resources Committee," Aumua Amata said. "This section of the bill helps protect American Samoa from more unnecessary fishing restrictions by enabling the territory to be involved in the policy from the start. Effectively, the legislation ensures American Samoa a seat at the table regarding fishing rules."

The Congresswoman initially authored this legislative language as an amendment last year. The same initiative has now passed the Committee as part of a more comprehensive bill called the SHARE Act. Specifically, her legislative requirement would prevent the Departments of Interior and Commerce from promulgating new fishing restrictions in territorial marine waters unless they are developed in cooperation with the fish and wildlife management agency of the affected state or territory, such as American Samoa.

"I think it makes common sense for the state or territory that knows their waters to also be fully involved in policies regarding their fishing access," Congresswoman Amata continued. "Getting this initiative passed by the Committee is an important legislative step forward. We will continue to work to protect the traditional fishing rights of American Samoans, while taking care of our waters and coasts to preserve them for those who will follow us."

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