The American Samoa Fisheries Task Force held its first meeting on July 30, 2026, bringing together representatives from government, the fishing community, fisheries science, industry, and the wider community.
The meeting focused on organizing the Task Force and identifying the immediate priorities that will shape its early work:
- 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
The Task Force was re-established by Executive Order No. 003-26 and serves as an advisory body to the Governor, with administrative support provided by the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR).
The finalized meeting report is available on the Documents & Resources page. The Task Force will continue coordinating with fishermen, industry, government agencies, federal partners, and regional fisheries organizations as this work moves forward.