Governor opens NOAA PRIA workshop on sanctuary designation

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — ASG and NOAA co-hosted a two-day Pacific Remote Islands Area (PRIA) workshop that took place Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 12-13 at the Rex H. Lee Auditorium in Utulei. The workshop aimed to facilitate discussions and insight into the proposed National Marine Sanctuary designation for the PRIA.

Gov. Lemanu P .S. Mauga, who has long publicly declared his opposition to the PRIA designation, opened the workshop and set the tone, highlighting the critical importance of this issue to the American Samoa community and the broader Pacific Island region.

A press release issued by the Governor’s Office detailed Lemanu’s opening remarks. His remarks emphasized “the cultural and economic significance of fishing and the ocean to the people of American Samoa.”

He pointed out that these waters have sustained the Fa’asamoa way of life for thousands of years, with the tuna industry being the largest private sector employer and a vital contributor to the local economy.

"Our Samoan ancestors landed on these shores 3,000 years ago and utilized the natural resources both on land and in the sea to build a rich community," Lemanu said.

"Our legends, cultural practices, and how we conduct our daily lives revolve around fishing and our access to ocean waters. Fishing has provided our people not just with food to eat but also a means to support our families, especially during times of struggle.”

According to the release, he underscored the potential consequences of further restrictions on commercial fishing in the Pacific, saying, “This sanctuary could have a detrimental impact on American Samoa's economy, potentially sinking the tuna industry and exacerbating the challenges faced by the local community.

 “Canned tuna makes up over 99% of the total value of exports for our territory and accounts for about 85% of our GDP. Without our local cannery, the cost of living for our residents would sky-rocket.”

He also talked about the vulnerability of American Samoa to climate change, underscoring the need to preserve natural resources. He stressed that the proposed National Marine Sanctuary designation, while well-intentioned, may not align with the best interests of Pacific Islanders.

"The people of American Samoa see first-hand the devastating effects of extreme weather," Governor Lemanu said. "Due to climate change, the ocean that has sustained us for centuries is now threatening our daily lives.”

The governor expressed his hope that the workshop would lead to meaningful consultation with indigenous communities and increase understanding among federal counterparts.

He called for the collective knowledge and wisdom of the Pacific Island community to find solutions that do not leave small fishing communities behind.

And in conclusion he shared an ancient Samoan proverb, "Aua le naunau i le i’a, ae manumanu ile upega," which calls for wisdom, foresight, and extreme caution in preserving valuable resources.

He urged everyone involved to protect the fishing industry, likening it to a net (upega) that has provided for American Samoa and other territories for decades.

Federal partners, including Director John Armor of NOAA’S Office of National Marines Sanctuaries, Acting Director Sarah Malloy of the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office, and NOAA Superintendent of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Atuatasi Lelei Peau, were in attendance and the governor expressed his gratitude for their collaborative efforts.

Am Samoa political and cultural leaders at the workshop included members of the House of Representatives, District Governors,, the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, and the cabinet.

Reverend Leituala Malieitulua delivered the invocation, offering a message from scripture that emphasized the sanctity of the earth as God’s creation for mankind.