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American Samoa Government - PR001-06102026
Posted: June 10, 2026
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Opens Meeting in American Samoa with Traditional ‘Ava Ceremony
UTULEI, American Samoa - The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council commenced its June 9–11 meeting in American Samoa with a culturally significant ‘ava ceremony held at the Su’iga’ula o le Atuvasa Fale Samoa. The ceremony was graciously hosted by the Office of Samoan Affairs, honoring the partnership between the Council and the Territory.
Representing the American Samoa Government, Honorable Lieutenant Governor Pulumata‘ala Ae Ae Jr. attended and briefly delivered welcoming remarks to Council members and Executive Director Seuta‘atia Kitty Simonds, acknowledging their continued commitment to the stewardship of Pacific fisheries. The Lieutenant Governor shared the importance of grounding regional decision‑making in the traditions and values of the Samoan people, making the ‘ava ceremony a fitting opening to the week’s deliberations.
Following the cultural proceedings, the official opening session convened at the Tauese P. F. Sunia Ocean Center, led by Council Chairperson Nathan Ilaoa, Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. The meeting began with formal introductions and opening protocol.
The program featured deeply resonant remarks from Honorable Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula, who shared the critical moment facing American Samoa’s fisheries sector. He validated that the Territory’s economy is anchored by its marine resources, particularly the tuna. He expressed confidence that the Council’s work this week will shape meaningful and lasting outcomes for the islands and the broader region.
Governor Pula highlighted the dedication of Executive Director Seuta‘atia Kitty Simonds, noting her impactful service and her instrumental role in strengthening fisheries policy and supporting the needs of American Samoa. In a gesture of profound respect and gratitude, the Governor presented Executive Director Simonds with a traditional fa‘asamoa gift. Miss American Samoa, Tofoi Unutoa, was honored to perform the sacred presentation, followed by a traditional taualuga to conclude the tribute.
Governor Pulaali‘i extended his best wishes to all Council members as they undertake discussions that will influence the sustainability, economic vitality, and cultural integrity of fisheries throughout the Western Pacific. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of this meeting will bring forward progress that benefits not only American Samoa but the entire region.
The Council will continue its sessions through June 11, addressing key issues related to fisheries conservation, management, and regional collaboration.
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Tatala Aloa’ia le Fonotaga Fa’avāomālo a le Pulega o Faigāfaiva a le Pasefika i Sisifo
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa – Na auai atu le afioga i le ali’i Kovana i le Ofisa o le Sanctuary a Tauese P. F. Sunia, auā le amatalia o le fono lona 207 a le pūlega o faigāfaiva a le Pasefika i Sisifo. O le fonotaga e uiga i fīgota o le sami, fa’atumauina o le tamāo’āiga ma le tulaga lelei o le gataifale, aemaise nisi o matā’upu ogaoga tau i le sami o le itūlagi o le Pasefika, e soa ai le pule a le ‘au usufono.
Sa amatalia le fa’amoemoe e ala i tu ma aga masani o le soifua talimālō o Samoa, e ala lea i se ‘ava o le feiloa’iga na fa’ataunu’uina i le Maota tele i Su’igā’ula o le Atuvasa i Utulei. Na auai atu ai le afioga le Kovana Lutena ia, Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr e fa’afeiloa’i aloa’ia le mamalu o le ‘aumalaga na ‘auvasa mamao mai i atunu’u e fia o le Pasefika, auā le fonotaga masani o le pūlega o faigāfaiva o le Pasefika i Sisifo.
Na fa’aauau lea o le mafutaga a le ‘au usufono i le ofisa Fa’asao o Fīgota (Sanctuary) e amata aloa’ia ai le fonotaga. Na amatalia le fa’amoemoe e ala i le tatalo na saunia e le afioga i le Ta’ita’ifono o faigāfaiva i Amerika Samoa ia Nate Ilaoa.
O lenei fonotaga o lo’o usufono mai ai sui mamalu mai atunu’u ese’ese, e aofia ai atunu’u e ō mai mamao mai i itūlagi o le Pasefika i Mātū Sisifo ma isi. Ua se va’aiga matagofie e atagia ai le galulue fa’atasi, le ‘āputiputi o measina o le sami, lototele, lē ōia gōfie, ma le agaga o le felagolagoma’i pe a o’o mai faigatā i le itūlagi o le Pasefika.
Na saunoa le ali’i Kovana e fa’afeiloa’i aloa’ia le fonotaga lona 207 i Amerika Samoa. O lona agaga fa’afetai ona ua toe maua lenei laolao lelei e māfuta ai tagata o le Pasefika, se’i toe fefa’asoaa’i, toe fa’amanatu, toe fafagu, ma se’i toe vā’ili’ili le tōfā auā le puipuiga, fa’atumauina, ma le lavea’i mai o tatou sami ma faigāfaiva mai fa’alavelave ono tutupu fa’afuase’i, aemaise ni mala fa’alenātura e ono lamatia ai le gataifale ma ‘ōgāsami o le Pasefika. Na saunoa fo’i le Kovana e fa’afetaia lē sa tau’avea le tofi ta’ita’ifono o le pūlega o faigāfaiva a le Pasefika i Sisifo, le Susuga ia Seuta’atia Kitty Simonds.
O le tōfā ia Faleosalāfai Tipa na fai ma fofoga o le ali’i Kovana ma le faigāmālō, e fa’atino le fa’aaloalo maualuga o le atunu’u e ala i le fa’atamāli’i na saunia mo le afioga ia Seuta’atia Kitty Simonds. O le su’iga ma lona sei, o le ufilaulau o le vala, o le suataute na momoli ai le tā’isi, o le suatalisua na momoli ai le manu mai le lafu, ae ufita’i i le maniti o tamāli’i na tōfā a’i, ma lona teutusi e $1000, atoa ai ma meaalofa o ‘ato ma apa tuna mo le mamalu o le ‘au usufono.
Sa fa’ai’uina lea vāega i le taualuga na sausaunoa ai le Lālelei o Amerika Samoa ia, Tofoipupū Unutoa, ma saunoa fa’afetai ai lea o le fofoga o le mafutaga ia Archie Soli’ai auā le fa’aaloalo ua to’ia i le maota, ona faia lea o se malologa pu’upu’u ma toe fa’aauau lea o le fonotaga.
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