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“OPEN LETTER TO AMERICAN SAMOA FISHERIES TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN & THE PEOPLE OF AMERICAN SAMOA”

Dear Chairman Hong;

 

I appreciate the direct and honest comments as reported in the August 11, 2015 edition of the Samoa News. Unfortunately, you did not respond to our formal letter that was filed in response to NOAA’s Federal Register Notice/Request for Comments.

 

In the formal response we voiced “Concerns,” not objections, to the Petition.  We have a different interpretation and were hopeful that if a change could be implemented the issues that we brought forward would be addressed. I would encourage you to read this letter, dated August 10, 2015, as it is our formal comment on file.

 

Regardless, I appreciate and respect your passion as Chairman and the passion of others for the good of American Samoa.

 

Our formal response letter addressed the underlying issue that created this situation and encouraged our Government to press for a return of the access days that were relinquished in 2013 at the WCPFC meetings for the years 2014-2016 2017. period in the name of “conservation.” This agreement dramatically reduced US Fleet access to High Seas and our own U.S.  EEZ waters.

 

This action was extremely discouraging as other Flag nations were given access, some unlimited, (Kiribati as well as Japan and Korea) to these High Seas pockets utilizing the days that the U.S. fleet surrendered. I encourage you to review the Joint Venture project vessels that are operating in these waters today and you may find Korean based interest are engaged. Regardless, we as American vessels with all the reason that you put forward in your statement should demand that this access be returned after the interim agreement is concluded in 2016 2017.

 

Sir, there are no Samoa vessels or “other” vessels; we are all US Flag Vessels all facing the same hardships.

 

Further, I would encourage you and all in Government to consider providing the companies operating in the territory incentives in the form of direct benefits to the workers who deserve a pay increase after all these years instead of pursuing competitive benefits that would help some vessel owners but be harmful to other US interest that operate under the US Flag. This approach, Mr. Chairman, of higher wages and benefits for American Samoa workers is something I strongly support.

 

Sir, please know that we all face the same issues on a daily basis, whether on-Island, aboard a vessel or working in a tuna factory on the Mainland; American workers, who like American Samoa workers, count on us to provide for them and their families.

 

Mr. Chairman, we should work together to develop mutually beneficial solutions. I see this as a real opportunity and would be willing and available to meet with you or anyone towards this end, so long as the solutions are good for all and not just a select few. These are very challenging times and I firmly believe that only by working together as a fleet and as an Island can we guarantee a future in the tuna fisheries for all in the Pacific.

 

Lastly, Sir, you should know that I am not a manager or employee of a multi-national corporation, but an owner/investor, so my interest is genuine.

 

Sincerely,

J. Douglas Hines

Partner and Owner

Ocean Global, LLC & Sea Global, LL