Tautai-O-Samoa holds annual meeting discussIng economic impact on fleet

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Tautai-O-Samoa Longline & Fishing Association (“Tautai”) held its 1st annual meeting on May 31, 2022 to elect officers and also to discuss the critical issues that impact this U.S. fishery. Tautai members are U.S. longline owners that operate in the U.S/ American Samoa EEZ and produce U.S. albacore for the StarKist Samoa plant. The Tautai fleet is the only U.S. longline fleet targeting South Pacific albacore.

The newly elected officers for Tautai-O-Samoa are: President Krista Haleck Corry, Vice-President Anthony Lafaele Feliciano, Secretary Edgar Feliciano, Treasurer Jeff Moustacas and Business Development Officer Carlos Sanchez. Other Board Directors of the Tautai-O-Samoa are: Elder Vincent Haleck, Stuart Chikami and Christinna Lutu- Sanchez.

The Tautai fleet has struggled under dire economic conditions in the last several years due to poor fishing conditions, increased costs of operations and increased federal regulations.

The recent COVID-related border closures prevented the recruitment of experienced commercial fishermen, which also impacted the efficiency of the fleet.

The discussions at Tuesday’s meeting highlighted the positive impact of the LVPA amendment as well as the timely reopening of the American Samoa Shipyard to attend to the fleet’s long overdue repair needs.

Discussions also included updates on regional fisheries issues such as pending biological impact studies, increases in global fuel prices, relief from port charges, and fierce competition by foreign owned vessels predominately the Chinese fleet that do not have to adhere to same operating standards and regulations.

Tautai board members also shared concerns on the lack of communications with government on fisheries matters, such as the pending CARES Act financial assistance and the pending longline dock.

Looking ahead, even with the many challenges facing the longline fleet, the Tautai Board is optimistic in working together to continue developing the fleet to keep them operating in American Samoa, which will directly benefit the economy of American Samoa.

For more information, please contact Krista Haleck Corry: 733-0476