The American Samoa Advisory Panel to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has released the third issue of its newsletter, American Samoa Fisheries Outlook, dated August 26, 2026.

The Fisheries Task Force

The issue includes a feature by DMWR staff, "Governor Re-establishes the American Samoa Fisheries Task Force," covering the Task Force's work so far:

  • Establishment. Governor Pulaʻaliʻi Nikolao Pula re-established the Task Force through Executive Order No. 003-26 on June 8, 2026, and General Memorandum No. 116-26, issued July 6, appointed its members.
  • First meeting. At its first meeting on July 30, 2026, members took up fuel and operating costs, South Pacific albacore allocation and WCPFC preparations, federal fishing access around Rose Atoll, foreign-vessel bycatch entering the local market, and small-boat, workforce, and fisheries-development needs. See Meetings.
  • Federal engagement. On August 7, the Task Force formally supported H.R. 8904, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Uifaʻatali Amata addressing the regulation of fishing in Marine National Monuments.
  • Next milestone. The Task Force is developing the initial strategic framework required by the Executive Order within 90 days of its first meeting.

Official Task Force documents are available on the Documents & Resources page.

Also in this issue

  • Five things from the Council's 207th meeting in Pago Pago (June 9–11, 2026)
  • What Manuʻa told the Council about the reopening of waters around Rose Atoll
  • Honoring Executive Director Kitty Simonds with a Sua Faʻatamaliʻi
  • American Samoa's tuna priorities at the Wellington fisheries meetings
  • DMWR's new point-based system for small-boat fishermen and the move to full census fishery data
  • Results from the 3rd Pago Pago Open Fishing Tournament
  • A look at the American Samoa Shipyard
  • Upcoming Advisory Panel and Council meetings

Download American Samoa Fisheries Outlook, Issue #3 (PDF)

American Samoa Fisheries Outlook is published by the American Samoa Advisory Panel of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, not by the Fisheries Task Force.