Did you know that are laws regulating how long and wide your fishing net can be? The Department of Marine and Widlife Resources recently intercepted a shipment of illegal fishing gear, but it is easy to tell the difference. Read more to find out!

Cross-Government collaboration is essential to ensuring regulation compliance. This week, American Samoa Customs flagged a shipment of fishing traps and immediately reported them to DMWR Enforcement Division. Upon inspection it was discovered traps exceeded the legal size and are in violation of:
- A.S.C.A 24.0923 Fish traps (a) Longer or wider than 6 feet.
- A.S.C.A 24.0924 Import and sale of illegal fishing gear.
A permit from Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources is REQUIRED in order to deploy any type of trap in American Samoa’s fresh and salt waters.
If you have questions about American Samoa Fishing Regulations, contact us at 633-4456. Keep up with the very latest from DMWR here and on the department’s official Facebook page.

