Meetings
The Fisheries Task Force meets to review major fisheries issues, receive information from members and invited partners, develop recommendations, and coordinate actions affecting American Samoa's fisheries.
Publicly releasable meeting information and finalized meeting records will be posted here as they become available.
Upcoming Meetings
Next Fisheries Task Force Meeting
Meeting information and general topics will be posted when available.
Past Meetings
Meeting #1
The first meeting of the re-established American Samoa Fisheries Task Force focused on organization of the Task Force and several immediate fisheries priorities:
- Fuel and operating costs affecting the fisheries sector
- South Pacific albacore and WCPFC negotiations
- Federal fishing access and regulatory coordination
- Development of the Task Force's initial strategic framework
- Issues affecting local and small-boat fisheries
- Foreign-vessel bycatch sales and local market impacts
- Future fisheries development and workforce priorities
Recent Updates
Scholarship Deadline Extended to October 16, 2026
The application deadline for the 2026–2027 U.S. Pacific Territories Fishery Capacity-Building Scholarship, offered through the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, has been extended to Friday, October 16, 2026. Undergraduate and graduate students with strong ties to American Samoa are encouraged to apply.
Fisheries Task Force Begins Work on Priority Fisheries Issues
The American Samoa Fisheries Task Force held its first meeting on July 30, 2026 and began organizing its work around several immediate priorities affecting the Territory's fisheries and tuna economy.
Initial work includes examining fuel and operating costs affecting fishing and processing, developing American Samoa's position on South Pacific albacore management, addressing federal fishing access and regulatory issues, strengthening territorial and small-boat fisheries, and preparing the Task Force's initial strategic framework for the Governor.
The Task Force will continue coordinating with fishermen, industry, government agencies, federal partners, and regional fisheries organizations as this work moves forward.