American Samoan congresswoman backs Trump's Pacific fishing executive order

7:46 am today

US President Donald Trump displays a proclamation on "returning American commercial fishing in the Pacific" in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on 11 June 2026.

Photo: AFP / Kent Nishimnura

An American Samoan congresswoman says protected American Samoan waters should be off limits for fishing, but the rest of the Pacific is fair game.

The United States will open nearly half a million square miles of protected Pacific waters for commercial fishing.

An executive order signed on 11 June by President Donald Trump, titled 'Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific' builds on a process starting in April of last year to undo more than a decade of protections and expansions.

The order applies to the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument around Hawai'i, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument around American Samoa.

Republican, Uifa'atali Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, typically an ally of Trump, opposes the Rose Atoll part.

"With our heads we can welcome good news for our economy, while our hearts treasure Rose Atoll and stand with our people in Manu'a," she said.

Amata said last Thursday's proclamation by Trump "is incredible, positive news for our fishing and economy overall".

"I want to be clear that elsewhere throughout US waters, I support the change and thank the President - but Rose Atoll has special significance."

Fishing remains prohibited within 50 nautical miles of any land in these areas, and within 12 nautical miles of American Samoa, and catch limits also apply.

An order last year similarly opened the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument the difference being that this one holds uninhabited atolls and reefs.

A fact sheet on the White House website said that appropriately managed fishing will not put these areas at any risk, for research purposes or historic preservation.

"Onerous restrictions unnecessarily prohibited commercial fishing within (these) areas... removing job opportunities for American workers," it read.

"The proclamation opens economic and job opportunities for U.S. fishing families, coastal communities, seafood processors, and related maritime industries, ensuring unfettered access to the coastal waters of the U.S. while maintaining rigourous environmental protections."

Trump's previous order saw a challenge in Honolulu courts, which found it unlawful in its attempt to supersede legislation that had passed through Congress.

Earthjustice, the organisation behind it, has stated they intend to do the same with this one.

In the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a conservation group has condemned Trump's decision to allow commercial fishing in parts of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

In a statement, the Friends of the Mariana Trench said this threatens Pacific communities, cultural heritage, and local stewardship of the ocean.