WesPac sees little hope for commercial alia fishing in the territory

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The “American Samoa Island Report” prepared by staff of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, gives a grim picture of locally based alia when it comes to commercial fishing.

According to the report, submitted to this week’s 189th Meeting of the Council, only two Pago Pago-based alia engage in commercial fishing at this time — one trolling, the other long- lining with occasional bottom-fishing for subsistence. The long-line alia lands an average of 400 pounds weekly, to supply restaurants. The one alia dedicated to commercial bottom-fishing is still inoperable.

It says that all other fishing activity involves bottom-fishing and trolling trips for subsistence or recreation. Only 3 alia engage in sporadic trolling and some light bottom-fishing in coastal waters. Yellowfin tuna and skipjack are the predominant species landed by trolling. Occasional catches of masimasi, wahoo or rainbow runners are biting lines.

In the Manu’a island group, the report says eight alia are currently engaged in mostly bottom-fishing near-shore with the occasional trolling trip. The Manu'a alia fleet generally fishes for subsistence with a small portion of the catch sold or given away to cover operational costs.

“There is little export to Tutuila, the main island,” the report said, noting that about 500 pounds of fresh reef fish is caught weekly and supplied to some stores or is sold roadside by a dozen spear-fishermen.

The report also points out that rough sea conditions plague the calendar and keeps many boats tied up. Floating docks in Malaloa remain unsafe and in a state of disrepair.

Furthermore, the wharf in Ta'u, Manu'a desperately needs floating docks for their 10 active alia. “Unsafe conditions there increase the risk of damage to boats and injury to the crew,” it says.

The report also gave a brief summary on the 2021 “Palolo Harvest” saying that palolo harvest for Tutuila in October was very poor, likely due to unfavorable weather. “Many harvesters stayed on shore for safety and a few reported a light showing of low quality palolo. The much anticipated "November showing" was also a bust,” it says.

However, the Manu'a Islands had more favorable weather and did much better in October with an average palolo harvest. No palolo was observed in November in Manua.

The report noted the tragedy on Tutuila on Oct. 28th, when a 48-year-old father drowned hunting palolo near the end of the Pago Pago International Airport runway.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the victim along with a friend went palolo hunting near the east runway at the airport. The current at that time was very strong and caused the victim’s gear to wash out to sea. Unfortunately, when the man attempted to go after his gear, the current was so strong that he was washed out to the sea. (See Samoa News edition Oct. 29 for details).

Another tragedy cited in the Island Report, is a fatality report on Oct. 14th, when the body of a spear-fisherman was found at the Vatia shoreline. Investigators suspect the victim suffered a shark attack.