U. S. bans fishing off the coasts of 
Guam, Northern Marian Islands, 
and American Samoa
Posted 22 May 2008

The Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) alerts the Philippine tuna fishing industry to the latest decision of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council of the U.S.A.  The decision involves banning of purse seine fishing in the U.S. federal waters off Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marian Islands, and the area within 75 nautical miles off the shore of American Samoa.

According to the report received from Commercial Counsellor Romulo Manlapig of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Washington D.C., U.S.A., the action is reportedly due to fear of the depletion of local fish, particularly skipjack and yellow fin tuna.

The U.S. established the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council to prevent over-fishing, minimize by-catch, and protect fish stocks and habitat in U.S.waters. 

The Council has received reports that in 2006, vessels caught 1.3 million metric tons of skipjack tuna in the Western and Central Pacific and 85% of this catch were done by purse seine vessels or large boats with massive nets.  The purse seine fleet around American Samoa is reportedly growing to 26 vessels from just 15 this year.