William Gibbons-Fly
113:53 - 114:49
"In just the past few years, the US tuna purse seine fleet has been reduced from 34 vessels to just 15 vessels operating today. The remaining vessels supply most of the tuna being processed in American Samoa and otherwise support the local economy there."
“In just the past few years, the US tuna purse seine fleet has been reduced from 34 vessels to just 15 vessels operating today. The remaining vessels supply most of the tuna being processed in American Samoa and otherwise support the local economy there.”
- Speaker
- William Gibbons-Fly
- Timestamp
- 113:53 – 114:49
- Source
- House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries (Begich): Legislative Hearing
- Community
- Alaska News
- Location
- Alaska
- Captured at
- June 3, 2026
From the transcript
In these cases, the Antiquities act has been used to circumvent and override the rigorous process established under Magnuson Stevens, with little thought to the economic consequences to an important sector of the U.S. economy, the economies of our U.S. territories, domestic and regional food security, and yes, even U.S. national security. This is important, Madam Chairman, because our industry is struggling to survive and with it, so is the tuna dependent economy of American Samoa. In just the past few years, the US tuna purse seine fleet has been reduced from 34 vessels to just 15 vessels operating today. The remaining vessels supply most of the tuna being processed in American Samoa and otherwise support the local economy there. Madam Chair, my written testimony highlights several important issues that it is simply not possible to address.
Related Coverage
Alaska fishery disaster funds stalled at OMB despite congressional approval
Federal fishery disaster relief funds approved by Congress in December 2024 remain unreleased, with NOAA officials unable to provide a timeline for when the money will reach Alaska and West Coast fishing families waiting for relief from disasters that occurred up to five years ago.
by Alaska News3mo ago1 min readAI
A House bill on NOAA workplace safety is built on data from Alaska — where a third of fisheries observers report harassment or assault
A House subcommittee heard testimony on legislation to expand sexual harassment protections for NOAA employees and contractors, including fisheries observers. The bill follows a report that nearly one-third of North Pacific observers experience harassment or assault annually.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAI
Begich bill to expand commerce in Alaska sea otter handicrafts gets first congressional hearing
They really otter let them do that
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAI