Chairman Praises Aumua’s Fishing Bill
Washington, D.C. –Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, received praise from Subcommittee Chairman John Fleming during a House Natural Resources - Water Power & Oceans Subcommittee legislative hearing on H.R. 4576, the Ensuring Access to Pacific Fisheries Act today on Capitol Hill.
Congresswoman Amata and the House Natural Resources –
Water Power & Oceans Subcommittee conduct a hearing on H.R. 4576
Chairman Fleming went out of his way to mention the hard work being done by the Congresswoman stating, “I think this a great bill, and I appreciate what Ms. Radewagen is doing here. She is a freshman, but has already made a positive impact for not only her district, but the island communities, and we thank her for all she does.”
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 to 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.
“By working with local industry and fishery councils, we have come up with legislation that will help to ensure the continued supply of tuna to the island’s canneries,” said Amata. “The American Samoa economy depends heavily on this supply of fish, and it is time that the United States begins looking out for the interests of our fleet and fishing communities, and not capitulate to special interest organizations, and foreign nations,” continued Amata.
Witnesses for the hearing included both Brian Hallman, Executive Director of the American Tunaboat Association (ATA), and Seutaatia Kitty Simonds, Executive Director of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Council, as well as officials from the State Department and Department of Commerce.
“I want to thank Chairman Fleming for holding this hearing that is so important to our fishing fleet, as well as Representative Young, who was essential in drafting large parts of the bill. I also want to thank both Director Hallman and Director Simonds for taking time from their busy schedules to be here today. Their testimony was essential to underlying just how important this bill is to our fisherman and American Samoa,” concluded Amata.
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