Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US longline fleet based in American Samoa, owned by American Samoans, has begun the process of exploring a diversification of their fishing operations, according to the “American Samoa Motu Repoti” — or island report — which covers a summary of local fishery updates presented to this week’s 185th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting is being held virtually and the Council chair Taotasi Archie Soliai is also the director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. Taotasi began serving as chair prior to joining ASG.

According to the report, vessels of the American Samoa longline fleet have begun the process of exploring a diversification of their fishing operations. It says that eight of the fleet’s vessels — all of which hold US Longline Limited Entry Program Permits — are entering the jig albacore fishery in southern waters outside of the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around American Samoa.

(Wikipedia explains that jig fishing is the practice of fishing with a jig, a type of fishing lure. A jig consists of a lead sinker with a hook molded into it and usually covered by a soft body to attract fish.)

 “Three of those eight vessels diversifying their operations have already begun participating in that fishery,” the report says, noting that five other fishing vessels of the Tautai O Samoa Longline and Fishing Association are utilizing Sustainable Fisheries Funds to outfit their vessels for the upcoming albacore jig season.

It explains that the eight boats plan to jig for albacore in southern waters during the months they are normally tied up. Historically, it says, the longline albacore season has been between the months of April and December. The jig season for albacore is typically from mid- November to early spring.

The eight vessels diversifying their fishing operations to conduct jig fishing in southern waters will explore the viability of trolling after the longline season is complete to provide the tuna to the StarKist cannery in American Samoa.

“The hope is that this project will provide more fishing opportunities to the fleet with increased catch and effort,” according to the report, which was prepared by the Council’s staff.

The fleet currently targets albacore tuna with deep-set longline gear and the albacore landed is delivered to StarKist Samoa cannery. Other pelagic species landed are sold to local businesses and given away to family and community members.

The report also points out that all the US permitted longline vessels operating out of Pago Pago Harbor are owned by American Samoa families and families with longstanding ties to the territory.

ISLAND FISHERIES UPDATE

The report states that small fishing vessels have experienced low catch numbers and small size catch since the Council meeting last December “with a few exceptions.”

It explained that alia fishermen have reported a good number of tagi (dogtooth tuna) catches in recent trips during January and February. And they have also reported large numbers of atu (skipjack tuna); however the size of those catches are generally small-sized fish.

There was also an uptick in catch numbers for asi asi (yellowfin tuna) in January and early February. “But generally catch numbers have been low for both the pelagic trolling and bottomfish fishing fisheries in American Samoa,” the report said.

“The conditions in the past three months have also not been ideal, with a number of high wind and surf days which have reduced fishing effort,” it says. “The fishermen have also reported increased numbers of sharks, which have resulted in many pelagic and bottomfish catch losses.”

Furthermore, there have even been confirmed sightings of bull sharks in Pago Pago Harbor.

COVID-19 IMPACTS

The Council was informed through the report, that flights in and out of American Samoa remain suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions but there have been two repatriation flights.

“The suspended flights continue to affect fishing operations — especially for the tuna industry as the vessel owners are unable to bring in crew members from off island or technical service providers to work on the vessels,” according to the report.

“COVID restrictions have also caused considerable shipping delays which have affected both fishing operations as well as seafood vendors,” it says.

MALALOA DOCK

A separate summary report also submitted to the Council provides a status of the Malaloa Marine Dock extension for longline project, which broke ground last May.

“Unfortunately restrictions to travel and shipping due to the COVID-19 pandemic have delayed the project,” it says noting that Port Administration, which oversees this project, is currently working on securing US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits to begin construction.

Additionally, Port Administration is also working with the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources’ Fisheries staff to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) needed to satisfy the conditions for the permit.