The American Samoa government says it is concerned about the plight of the territory's albacore fishing fleet and the governor has appointed a committee to help them.
Earlier this month the owner of Longline Services Incorporated, Carlos Sanchez, said local owners of albacore fishing boats are selling up because they are struggling to maintain viability.
One of those on the new committee, is the director of commerce, Keniseli Lafaele, who says the department has been supportive of the industry.
Mr Lafaele says issues that are affecting longliners are the lack of docking space, escalating port charges and overtime payments to government workers who clear their boats after hours.
But Mr Sanchez says they have made up their minds to sell their fishing boats because the price of fish has plummeted, the cost of fuel is high and the government's port charges are unaffordable.
Mr Lafaele says the government cannot do much to influence the world price of albacore, but he believes they can make life easier for the local fleet owners.
