| As Ranking Member of the International Relations Subcommittee
on East Asia and the Pacific, Congressman Faleomavaega will be participating
in the South Pacific Tuna Treaty negotiations to be held in Apia, Samoa
during the week of March 26, 2001. Members of the U.S. delegation
will meet with representatives from sixteen Pacific Island Nations, including
Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji,
the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic
of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, the
Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, the Republic of Vanatu and
Samoa, to discuss an extension of the 1987 South Pacific Tuna Treaty and
negotiate any other relevant matters.
“In 1987, the Pacific Island nations entered into a treaty with
the United States to allow U.S. purse seine vessels to fish for tuna in
the central and western Pacific Ocean, including waters under the jurisdiction
of the Pacific Island Parties,” Congressman Faleomavaega said. “The
Treaty has been a success and enjoys strong support within Congress, the
Administration and the U.S. fishing industry.”
“In fact,” Congressman Faleomavaega said, “the Treaty provides considerable
economic benefit to the United States. Tuna landed by U.S. vessels
operating in the Treaty Area has a landed value of more than $100 million
per year.”
“More importantly, nearly all of the fish caught by the U.S. purse
seine vessels operating in the Treaty Area is landed in our canneries.
Needless to say, this has a direct impact on the economy of American Samoa.”
“Given the nature of our current relationship with the canneries
and the proposed 20% tuna tax that is now being debated, I believe these
negotiations are both timely and critical,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.
“Simply put, these negotiations are key to economic stability and development
in our Territory. For this reason, I am pleased to represent our
interests and give the people of American Samoa a voice in this economic
and political process.” |
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