March 20, 2020 — The following was released by The Office of Congresswomen Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa):
Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is urging President Trump to reopen fishing access as a matter of national food security during the worldwide economic and health crisis.
“At this time of global re-evaluation of world health and economics, I simply write to say that food security equals national security. Please use your Executive Order to immediately reopen the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM) to commercial fishing,” Aumua Amata states in her urgent letter to the President.
“American Samoa is home to the largest tuna cannery in the Country and the cannery needs restored access to the Monument to keep up with demand which has spiked over 30 percent in the past week alone for this key healthy, shelf-stable and staple product for American consumers,” she continues.
“Now is the time to reopen American waters to ensure an American supply chain with American boats fishing American waters and having American manufacturing plants processing essential staple foods for the American people,” says Congresswoman Amata.
She supports her request with prior communications from herself and Governor Lolo Moliga, including one cosigned by House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rob Bishop of Utah. The Congresswoman closes with appreciation to the President for ongoing bold action in the effort to protect our country and his continued optimism.