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Aumua’s Fishing Bill Passes Committee Unanimously

July 13, 2016

Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and the House Natural Resources Committee conducted a mark-up of several bills on Capitol Hill this morning including H.R. 4576, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act.

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Amata and Rep Fleming

Congresswoman Amata & Rep. Fleming (LA-04) outside of the
Committee Hearing Room following Wednesday’s Mark-Up

“It has been my experience that the best stewards of our natural resources are those who utilize them to make a living, and that is exactly what the people of the island territories have done for many years,” stated Amata. “As we heard first hand in the March hearing on my bill, science has taken a back seat to geopolitics during these negotiations, and our fishermen are baring the burden – especially for those in the area fishing for bigeye tuna,” continued the Congresswoman. “I think everyone in this room will agree that the best available science should be the only thing dictating fisheries management – both at home and abroad. My bill, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act aims to keep our fishermen on the water by asserting science back into the Administrations decisions,” continued Amata.

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.

“I want to thank Chairman Bishop, Representative Young, and my fellow committee members for working with me on this bill that is so important to our fishing industry in the Pacific, and the people of American Samoa. I look forward to getting my measure the rest of the way home, and on to President Obama’s desk for his signature,” concluded Amata.

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