Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga led the ASG group that met for the first time late last month at the Governor’s Office, Rear Admiral Kevin Lunday, the new Commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, which includes American Samoa and other US Pacific jurisdictions.

Lunday recently took over the leadership post from Rear Admiral Vincent Atkins, who worked very closely with the Lolo Administration on many issues during his tenure.

Samoa News understands that several issues were covered during the meeting that ASG officials say was a courtesy call by Lunday to the governor, who invited his cabinet members that have matters related to the Coast Guard to attend.

ASG officials told Samoa News that Lunday emphasized at the meeting the idea of partnership — working with ASG and the community to forge a relationship and making it clear that the USCG has a role of enforcement of standards and regulations.

It was noted during the meeting that safety issues are always of utmost concern, and environmental pollution and monitoring of other criminal activity in territorial waters would warrant USCG action and protection.

“USCG is sensitive to the needs of our territory in sustaining the operation of the one cannery in our territory,” said ASG officials who have knowledge of issues discussed in the meeting. They also said that the governor expressed the critical need of the cannery to have the fishing vessels off-load their catch here at StarKist Samoa.

Reportedly there had been citations issued by the USCG, which have had a negative impact with the fishing fleet that serves the cannery.

ASG officials say Lunday indicated that USCG will strengthen the outreach programs both in American Samoa and Samoa to prevent the need of strict enforcement of Coast Guard standards.

The goal, they say, is to ensure that everyone is clear on the USCG regulations as well as compliance, so there’s no need for citations to be issued. Additionally, USCG will initiate Recognition Programs for the positive performances of local activities relating to its mission statement.