Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming the unified stance and combined bipartisan efforts of the governors of American Samoa, CNMI, and Guam, as Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga is visiting Washington, D.C., where among other meetings, the Governors have requested a meeting with President Biden to discuss the affect of his announced plan to place 777,000 square miles of Pacific waters off limits to fishing.

“As soon as we heard of the President’s announced plan to further limit the commercial fishing that is the cornerstone of our local island economy, I immediately and urgently responded publicly, voicing strong concerns in Congress, and in a letter jointly to the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It is helpful and beneficial that the Governors of three island territories in the Pacific stand together, and I welcome and support their efforts. I will continue to amplify our islands’ concerns in Washington, and I appreciate the unity and commitment of the governors, which strengthens the islands' position.”

“I hope President Biden will consent to meet with our governors during this process, as the President’s announcement happened without much-needed consultation with the indigenous peoples of affected islands, and without adequate examination of the possible devastating affects on our economy,” Amata continued. “With a decision of this magnitude, affecting these islands directly, the President should take time to meet and discuss their viewpoint directly.”

“I do appreciate the ongoing informational discussions we’ve been able to have with NOAA, and as a result, the fact that they plan to hold meetings available virtually in American Samoa, Guam, and CNMI, and I hope those will be productive expressions of local sentiment,” Amata concluded. “We continue to hope for a sensible outcome that takes into account these major concerns.”