The project proposes to support the local longline fishing fleet by subsidizing a significant portion of their fuel expenses

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council $342,834 on October 1, 2025, to subsidize fuel expenses for the local longline fishing fleet in American Samoa under the Regional Fishery Management Councils program (CFDA 11.441).

The award directly supports vessel operators by offsetting a significant portion of their fuel costs, addressing escalating operational expenses that have driven a decline in fleet size. By stabilizing operational economics, the project aims to sustain employment in the fishing sector, ensure continued availability of locally caught seafood, and support food security for the territory while protecting the economic and cultural importance of American Samoa's fishing industry.

Performance runs through September 30, 2027, with administrative oversight at the council's Honolulu, Hawaii office. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, a congressionally mandated quasi-governmental body established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, holds authority over fisheries management across the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Pacific Remote Island Areas.

This direct financial support is a targeted effort to address the immediate economic challenges facing the fleet, which has seen a decline in vessel numbers due to escalating operational costs. By offsetting these expenses, the project aims to stabilize the fleet and improve its economic viability. This is crucial for sustaining a vital source of employment, ensuring the continued availability of locally caught seafood, and contributing to the food security of the territory. Ultimately, the program is designed to protect the economic and cultural importance of american samoa's fishing industry.