Tri Marine International is calling on United States officials to make a decision on a petition to allow American Samoa purse seiners to fish on the high seas.
The petition seeks to exempt US purse seiners that deliver half of their catches to local canneries from limits placed on tuna boats fishing on the high seas.
A Tri Marine spokesperson says the company is urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to quicken its review process of the petition and grant immediate relief to the American Samoa purse seiners.
She says the fish supply has sharply decreased since the closure of the high seas, and it is critical to restore access as soon as possible.
