AG-APPOINTEE URGES AMNESTY REGISTRATION

Attorney General-appointee Talauega Eleasalo Ale has joined the governor and lieutenant governor in urging undocumented foreigners in American Samoa to register for the Immigration Amnesty Program.

Speaking Thursday night on KVZK-TV, Talauega said the program is “a rare opportunity” for undocumented foreigners “to make it right for you and for your children so that they can grow up and be part of this island community.”

“If you don’t show up at the Amnesty Program and get registered, there is almost an absolute that you will be deported if you are found,” he said, adding that the Lolo Administration wants to make this opportunity an effort to get a better count on who lives in American Samoa. “And to help us provide the type of services that our people need.”

He encouraged all undocumented foreigners to get registered when the registration period opens—from Feb. 18 to Mar. 14. He also says the aim of the program is to correct and improve local immigration laws. Registration sites will be announced soon and only those who are undocumented immigrants prior to June 30, 2013 are qualified to register.

ASG DOG CONTROL COMMITTEE HELP SOUGHT

Rep. Larry Sanitoa has again sought the assistance of the Governor’s Animal Control and Care Program (ACCP) Task Force regarding the stray dog problem at the Tafuna High School Gymnasium and Office of Motor Vehicle area, where a pack of six stray dogs were seen early this week while people were there exercising.

Sanitoa’s request was made to ACCP chairman Papali’i Marion Fitisemanu, who was also informed that the FY 2014 budget includes $50,000 earmarked under Special Programs for a Dog Eradication Project.

Sanitoa says he has asked Rep. Maugaoali'i Sipa Anoa'i, chairman of the House Public Health Committee to look into this funding in order to help ACCP move forward.

Samoa News should point out that it’s unclear as to who in the government has control or jurisdiction over the $50,000.

MISS AMERICAN SAMOA JOINS STAFF AT VISITORS BUREAU

Miss American Samoa, Eleitino Tuiasosopo has joined the staff at the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, whose January eNewsletter made the announcement this past weekend.

Visitors Bureau’s executive director David Vaeafe says Tuiasosopo will be a great asset to the team as an ambassador for the Territory and that she started Tuesday this week with one of her first duties— welcoming the first cruise ship of the year, the ‘Silver Whisper’ that was on her maiden voyage to Pago Pago.

Vaeafe says the 23-year-old Tuiasosopo has a background in project administration and will be with the Visitors Bureau for the duration of her reign, until the new Miss American Samoa is crowned later this year.

Other new staff members to recently join the Visitors Bureau include a new Information Officer, Muaiao Moliga, who previously worked in data services for the US Postal Service in the mainland and Events & Marketing Officer, Lasiandra Hall Betham who was a planner with the Commerce Department.

TRI MARINE PURCHASES TUNA PLANT IN PERU

U.S. based Tri Marine International, owner of Samoa Tuna Processors cannery and fishery in American Samoa, has acquired 100 percent of the shares of Conservera de las Americas, which owns and operates the tuna and pelagics processing plant in Paita, Peru.

Tri Marine says the large-scale plant in Paita produces tuna and pelagic fish, e.g., anchoveta (anchovy) and mackerel, products for the Peruvian and international markets.

 The plant’s production capacity will complement Tri Marine’s existing network of owned and contract tuna and pelagic processing plants and it will enable Tri Marine to locally process the pelagic and tuna resources available in Peru, thereby creating jobs and supporting the local economy.

Tri Marine’s CEO, Renato Curto says the Paita plant will be dedicated to the production of high quality products destined to the company’s preferred customers in the countries where it currently operates, as well as the domestic market in Peru.