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$1Million of Disaster Relief Fund to be used for alia boat repairs

Includes hiring a contractor to repair alias in Manu’a
fili@samoanews.com

Boat repair workshop for all American Samoa alia boat owners and hiring a contractor to repair alia boats based in Manu’a, is the latest development on how the territory will utilize the $1 million it received, with the assistance of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, following the 2009 tsunami, according to the American Samoa Community Activities and Issues Report submitted for the Council’s 169th Meeting in Honolulu from Mar 21-23.

And finally getting a contractor to repair alia boats for Manu’a is being praised by Manu’a District Governor Laolagi F.S. Vaeao, who told Samoa News that this is “long overdue” after the boat owners “have been crying out for such assistance over the years.”

The $1 million is identified as the Disaster Relief Fund, overseen by the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, which has already hired a project coordinator to oversee the implementation of projects under this fund.

ALIA REPAIRS

Among the projects, cited in the report to the Council and based on information from DMWR, is alia repair, in which alia vessels in Manu’a in need of repairs and upgrades will be included to the Fund. The report says the Council’s Fisheries Development Officer for American Samoa did the original vessel assessment years ago, but according to DMWR, it is dated and they have used a more recent one last year by ASG.

It also says that the governor has agreed with DMWR Director Va’amua Henry Sesepasara’s plan to have a dedicated vessel mechanic for Manu’a’s fishing boats onsite. Additionally, DMWR will be hiring a contractor to complete the repairs of the boats located in Manu’a and purchase necessary supplies for the boats there.

Alia boat owners have requested through their lawmakers help from the government getting their alia boats fixed and this issue have been raised in the Fono over the years.

“I’m overwhelmed if that’s what’s going to happen and it materializes,” Laolagi said yesterday, referring to the mechanic to be based in Manu’a. I’ll be very grateful as the people in Manu’a have been crying out for this type of assistance to help boat owners.”

“It’s long overdue. And I’m so happy for my people in Manu’a finally getting this assistance,” said Laolagi, who has served in the Fono for many years including the last four years as one of the Manu’a senators.

A Ta’u boat owner reached over the weekend and told about Va’amua’s plans, told Samoa News that this is something that alia fishermen in Manu’a have been asking the government for some time now, to have the repairs done in Manu’a.

“Having a vessel mechanic in Manu’a is very helpful to boat owners, who need such help when they are faced with problems with their alia, instead of having to find a mechanic on Tutuila and bring to Ta’u,” the boat owner said. “And it does cost more money to bring someone from Tutuila.”

An alia boat owner on Ofu declined to comment when contacted Monday for comments, only saying, “I’ll wait and see if it will actually happen, before I say anything about this new ASG plan.”

REPAIR WORKSHOP

Another project to be funded with the disaster fund is a boat repair workshop.

“In response to a survey of alia fishing boat owners and operators, training for repairs has been identified as a priority need for the fishery,” according to the report to the Council. Therefore, the report says DMWR will utilize portions of the disaster fund to hold engine and vessel repair workshops for local fishermen.

Additionally, DMWR is planning to continue the process of developing the local alia fleet, which is over 25 boats currently. Further, the department is negotiating with a locally-based agent for Yamaha boat engines to provide a basic training for alia owners and operators — both on Tutuila and Manu’a.

FLAKE ICE MACHINE

The report also says that in support of the small boat fisheries, DMWR will use a portion of the disaster fund to provide a flake ice maker to be installed on the Malaloa Marina, near the department’s guard shack by the entrance.

Depending on the size of the machine to be purchased, DWMR may be required to obtain a land use permit from the Project Notification & Review System Board and because the funds are federal monies, a federal consistency permit will need to be complete as well.

ASG MEMBERSHIP

The new DMWR director, Va’amua is the new government member from American Samoa on the Council board, replacing former DMWR director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga, who is now Education director.

Va’amua is attending next week’s meeting in Honolulu and is expected to provide an update on projects funded with the disaster fund monies and other fishery issues.