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Recently, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published an “Island Voice” column that made some inaccurate descriptions and speculations about American Samoa and its economy (“American Samoa should prosper as fisheries transform”, April 28. The author made these statements in support of an initiative to permanently close commercial fishing in U.S. waters in the central equatorial Pacific. As a Samoan Native and resident of American Samoa, I feel compelled to respond.
At the outset, the comments show a lack of understanding of American Samoa’s 70-year-old tuna fishing and processing industry. For example, it is claimed that the Territory once had four canneries operating simultaneously. The fact is that at its peak, American Samoa had two large canneries that played an important role in our economy by providing food security, employment, and supporting local livelihoods.
Today, only StarKist Samoa remains in business, providing over 70% of private employment in the region and being our main economic driver. In addition to a wide range of different tuna products, StarKist also supplies canned tuna to the US school lunch program and the US military.
The columnists claim that American Samoa would be better off without a cannery in order to push a politically motivated environmental agenda. It is shameful that they could speak so callously about our future and ignore our people.
We are planning our economic future, informed by our unique cultural context and the needs of our communities. As with other Pacific Island nations in the region, tuna fishing and processing is an important part of our economy. Local canneries rely on tuna caught by U.S.-flagged purse seine and longline vessels.
Eliminating our major private industry in order to expand unnecessary marine protected areas embodies a sadistic eco-colonial intent.
The waters around the remote U.S. Pacific Islands, including American Samoa, are truly vital to the U.S. commercial fishing fleet that supplies fish to local canneries. Tuna stocks in these waters are managed under strict science-based guidelines to ensure they are not overfished. Reliable data from numerous scientific studies (NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) confirm that current fishing practices are sustainable.
Beyond that, the American fishing fleet that supplies the canneries is the most strictly regulated in the world.
Contrary to the assertion, closing off these waters and adding a layer of federal bureaucracy in the form of national marine sanctuaries is neither necessary nor effective for protecting these marine resources, especially highly migratory species like tuna.
Coral reef areas and other more vulnerable habitats are already protected from 0 to 50 nautical miles, with the two remaining areas being Howland Island/Baker Island and Palmyra Atoll/Kingman Reef. All U.S. waters (0 to 200 miles) around Johnston Island, Jarvis Island, and Wake Island are closed to commercial fishing.
Furthermore, it is not only wrong but extremely arrogant for those who have never lived here and do not understand the Faa Samoan way of life to advocate for the expansion of the reserve at the expense of American Samoa.
This reflects a wider problem of outside entities trying to impose their views and policies on our community without real engagement or understanding. This approach is not only disrespectful, but also undermines our culture and right to self-determination.
American Samoa and its people are best placed to determine our economic and environmental policies. We are stewards of our own natural resources and have a vested interest in ensuring healthy and sustainable development for future generations.
Contributions outside our communities should support and respect our autonomy, not prescribe and ignore our capabilities.
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