Aumua Passes Fishing Bill While Managing House Floor Proceedings

Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, took to the dais on the House Floor on Monday afternoon in support of a package of bills on behalf of the House Natural Resources Committee, including her own legislation, H.R. 4576, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act.

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“I want to thank Chairman Bishop for this opportunity to represent the House Natural Resources Committee on the House Floor in support of this package of bills,” stated Amata. “I am particularly pleased that all 4 bills, including my own, which will help to ensure that our fisherman have access to Pacific waters, passed by unanimous consent…two of which were bills that had come over from the Senate and will now be sent to President Obama for his signature,” continued the Congresswoman.

Included in the package from the House Natural Resources Committee were: H.R. 295, to Reauthorize the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program; S. 246, Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act; S. 1579, Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act; and Congresswoman Amata’s bill H.R. 4576, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act. All bills passed unanimously. The two House bills, including the Congresswoman’s fishing bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration, while the two Senate bills will be sent on to the President for signing.

Specifically, H.R. 4576 makes critical amendments to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act to minimize disadvantage and maximize opportunities for our fleets, especially those targeting migratory tuna stocks in the Pacific, which are essential to the American Samoa economy. Title III of the bill aims to ensure access to traditional fishing grounds by requiring such grounds be considered in any formal stance taken by U.S. Commissioners at the WCPFC.

“Our fishing industry is the life blood of the American Samoa economy, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure its stability and growth,” said Amata. “I want to thank my colleagues in the House for passing this important measure unanimously, and respectfully urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same. I also want to thank our local industry leaders including Brian Hallman, and the numerous others who helped to make this unanimous passage a reality, and I look forward to seeing President Obama sign into law, this important legislation for the people of American Samoa,” concluded Amata.

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