Rep Pulelei’ite Tufele Li’amatua Jr and Swains Rep Su’a Alexander Eli Jennings are behind a resolution where the House of Representatives is requesting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide an exemption to the locally based US. purse seine tuna fleet to fish in the high seas and for boats with US fisheries endorsements, U.S waters to avoid what would otherwise surely lead to the collapse of the local economy.

The resolution further says that NOAA is requested to engage in dialogue with the American Samoa Government, the two local canneries and the fishing industry on the development of plans and policies to secure the future and strength of the American Samoa purse seine and long line tuna fishery, especially with regard to fishing access in US foreign and international waters.