American Samoa § 24.0304 - Powers and duties.

§ 24.0304. Powers and duties.

(a) The office has the following powers and duties: (1) manage, protect, preserve and perpetuate the marine and wildlife resources in the Territory; (2) prepare and develop a comprehensive plan or plans for the management, protection and preservation of marine and wildlife resources in the Territory; (3) collect, analyze, and disseminate data and information relating to the marine and wildlife resources in the Territory; (4) keep records necessary to monitor and regulate the commercial and recreational fisheries; (5) encourage and conduct studies, investigations and research relative to commercial and recreational fisheries and wildlife and natural resources; (6) in coordination with the local government, conduct education and training programs relating to the management and preservation of marine and wildlife resources in the Territory; (7) adopt and amend rules or regulations implementing and consistent with this chapter to protect, preserve and perpetuate marine and wildlife resources in the Territory; (8) issue such orders as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and enforce the same by all appropriate administrative and judicial proceedings; (9) hold hearings relating to any aspect or matter in the administration of this chapter, and in connection therewith, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence; and (10) accept, receive and administer grants or other funds or gifts from public and private agencies, including the federal government, for the purpose of carrying out any of the functions of this chapter. (b) Assent to Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act-powers and duties. The Territory of American Samoa hereby assents to the provisions of the act of the congress of the United States which was approved on August 9, 1950, known as Public Law 681-81st Congress, Chapter 658-Second Session and popularly known as the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources is authorized, empowered and directed to perform such acts as may be necessary to the conduct and establishment of cooperative fish restoration projects as defined in said act and rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of the interior thereunder; and no funds accruing to the Territory of American Samoa from license fees paid by fishermen shall be diverted for any other purpose than the administration of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources and for the protection, propagation, preservation, and investigation of fish and game. (c) Assent to Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act-powers and duties. The Territory of American Samoa hereby assents to the provisions of the act of the congress of the United States which was approved on September 2, 1937, known as Public Law 415, 75th Congress. First Session and popularly known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources is authorized, empowered and directed to perform such acts as may be necessary to the conduct and establishment of cooperative wildlife restoration projects as defined in said act of Congress in compliance with said act and rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior thereunder; and no moneys accruing to the Territory of American Samoa from license fees paid by hunters shall be diverted for any other purpose than the administration of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. (c) Reservation of Rights. The Territory of American Samoa does not by the passage of sections 24.0304 (b) and (c) or by the consent therein given, surrender to the Congress of the United States or any department of the government of the United States any of those rights or entitlements of the chiefs or the people which are guaranteed to them or retained by them under the following laws: 1) the Cession of Tutuila and Aunu’u, 2) the Cession of Manu’a Islands and 3) Title 48 U.S.C. Sections 1661 and 1662.