The proposed expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRI) raises questions about the economic impact on fishing within the expansion area, specifically the tuna industry in American Samoa (AS). A preliminary analysis showed that fishing effort within the currently unprotected area has been historically low within the last several years1, which suggests that the proposed expansion would have a minimal impact on fisheries and the associated StarKist cannery on AS. However, understanding the potential impact of the expansion requires a more detailed analysis to better understand historic purse seine and longline fishing effort in this area, as well as the activity of purse seine, longline vessels and fish carrier vessels (i.e., transshipment vessels) associated with the AS tuna cannery in Pago Pago Harbor.
Analysis of Historic Fishing Activity Within the Proposed Expansion of the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument
Award Period
to
Award Amount
$36,022
Agency Name
Resources Legacy Fund Foundation
Award Number
18158
PI First Name
Christopher
PI Last Name
Costello
MSI People
Area/s of Research
Marine Conservation, Policy and Education
Abstract