Lemanu voices concerns with ocean clean-up solutions at national level

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga wants to find solutions at the “national level” to address “ocean clean-up” instead of just talking about it or leaving it to be a problem for the next generation.

This was one of the issues cited by Lemanu during his remarks at Tuesday’s opening of the 180th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council at the Gov. Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center, during which he also sought financial support for local ‘alia fishery development.

“Concentration on ocean-clean up needs to be addressed,” said Lemanu, who acknowledged that the Council meeting is probably not the right forum to raise this issue “but I bring it up anyway, because it will be a major disaster that sooner or later needs to be addressed and solution-ed at the national level.”

“…Not just talk about it, but do something about it,” he said, adding that this cannot be ignored and “hope it will go away, nor leave it for the next generation to be their problem.”

He reminded the Council and the audience of reports and research in the Pacific Ocean, which has “one of the largest plastic gathering” and “it’s right here in front of us.”

(Lemanu was referring to what has been described as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — the largest accumulation of ocean plastic in the world, and located between Hawai’i and California. <www.thoceancleanup.com>)

“We must and we need to face the challenge of today and tomorrow now, for the survival of generations to come,” he said. “Fishing sustains our livelihood in all aspects of life, our environment with our ecosystem, as well as our island nation’s economy.”

At the beginning of his remarks, Lemanu — speaking on behalf of the governor and the people of American Samoa — thanked the Council for the many projects it has carried out for the territory “to sustain American Samoa’s fishermen, fisherwomen, fisher-children.

“I say that because all of American Samoa fishers — whether they swim at a young age, they’re fishing because they’re looking at the fish. They’re also grabbing at the crabs and playing with the fish,” he said.

“I know the [local fishing] co-ops are sustaining its momentum, but still need financial support for improvements,” he continued. “Thank you for being a great partner in support of our fishermen” — in the areas of fuel cost sharing, rebuilding of ‘alia projects, outboard motors cost sharing, building of the Malaloa Wharf, floating docks, and ramps for the many fishing boats; and many more.

Lemanu then shared the current needs for fishing development.

“All we need now is financial support in building of ‘alia fishing boats locally,” he said, adding there are many shore fishermen that want to fish beyond the reefs but can’t afford to buy an ‘alia fishing boat from off island.

He asked the Council for help “to improve our financial support for fishermen in Manu’a — fishing development in Manu’a.” According to Lemanu, fishing grants that come to American Samoa stays on Tutuila island. “We have the [fishing] co-ops in Manu’a but no financial support to develop fishery there,” he said, adding that there are many ongoing projects that also need financial support.

According to an American Samoa Activity Report submitted to the Council, the two co-ops in Manu’a are Taisamasama and Fale Lua Nu’u.

[See yesterday’s Samoa News edition on other issues raised by Lemanu during his remarks.]