Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata reiterated her support for the National Marine Monuments to Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke during a stop in California on her way back to Washington earlier this week.

 “Having sent a letter to the President earlier this year, and previously spoken to the Secretary, I wanted to follow up to ensure that our position was clear, and reiterate that we are simply looking to remove the fishing restrictions on the American Samoa fleet for the migratory fish who travel through the monuments,” stated Amata.  “The monuments serve a good purpose, and I support that effort, but not at the expense of access to our people who have utilized these areas for centuries before any relationship with the United States.  Also, our fishermen are the most responsible and regulated in the world…as it stands currently, these fish swim through the monuments and are then caught by nations with little to no environmental regulations…that is not helping the sustainability for the future” continued Amata.

The executive order to review the monuments which was issued by the President last month will specifically examine the designations made over the past 20 years, and will seek to rectify the lack of input from local leadership that has plagued the Act for far too long.  Further actions are expected as a result of the review.

“Our oceans are the most important biospheres on the planet and are what give us life.  Without them, we would not be here, and it is our responsibility to care for them and ensure the future sustainability and good health of these precious resources.  We can do so in a responsible way, that also provides those who have depended upon these resources for a millennium to continue doing so for another millennium and beyond.  Closing off access to those who abide by the rules and depend upon them to make a living is not the answer, and I wanted the Secretary to hear that again directly,” concluded the Congresswoman.