Washington, D.C. — After highlighting President Trump’s Executive Order, regarding the placement and activities of United States Coast Guard (USCG) vessels to protect U.S. maritime borders, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is reiterating her suggestion that American Samoa’s Pago Pago Harbor is ideally suited to be a station for one or more Coast Guard cutters.

A Coast Guard public statement on January 21 by Admiral Kevin Lunday, the Acting Commandant, named American Samoa and all the territories among a list of key coastline protection areas, and stated the Coast Guard will “immediately surge assets … to increase Coast Guard presence and focus” in these areas in response to the presidential order.

“We need to continue to strengthen the Coast Guard’s capabilities including total cutters, and the ability to add deployment of cutters to the Pacific,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I continue to urge the strongest possible consideration of stationing fast cutters in American Samoa, one of the vast Pacific’s finest harbors. This would be a powerful statement of U.S. commitment in the South Pacific during a time of CCP regional efforts and influence, and the Pacific concerns of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.”

“I encourage the Trump administration and Coast Guard leadership to work with Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula in facilitating a stationed presence operating from Pago Pago Harbor. I’ve met Acting Commandant ADM Lunday, and I know he is exceedingly well versed in Pacific security from his prior command of the 14th District. Thank you to all our fine Coast Guardsmen and leadership serving in these important roles for our national maritime security.”