Fisheries Sector: Samoa

1
Fisheries Sector Samoa

• Priority adaptations to climate change for
  fisheries and aquaculture in Samoa reducing
  risks and capitalising on opportunities
• Apia,4th 5th April 2013
• Prepared Joyce Samuelu Ah Leong Fisheries
  Division, MAF

2
Presentation Outline

• Background
• Role and Status of fisheries in Samoa
• Fisheries Management and Development Frameworks
• Fisheries and Climate Change

3
Background

• Land area 2,935 sqkm2
• Reef area 10,000 sqkm2 at 50 m depth
• EEZ 120,000 sqkm2
• Annual GDP 505.8 million USD 11.4 from
  agriculture and fisheries

4
Role of Fisheries

• Fisheries is vital in the Samoan way of life
  protein, income earning, livelihoods, cultural
  and social values.
• Subsistence fisheries
• Landings at 14,000 metric tones 34 million USD
• Catch per unit effort 2.24kg/hr
• Av. Consumption per capita 60kg/year
• 86 of fishing in inner reef, 23 outer reefs, 4
  offshore.

5

• B. Artisanal Fisheries
• Fishing activities with intention to sell and
  also consume.
• 2011/2012 landings in volume and value 180mts,
  1.7 million SAT

6

• C. Commercial Fisheries
• Long line tuna fishery, deepwater fishery
• Tuna as main export, 70 albacore, 16 yellowfin
  and 4 big eye.
• Volume of 2,046 metric tones 9 million SAT

7
Fisheries Legislative Framework

1. Fisheries Act 1988 An Act for the conservation,
   management and development of the Samoa
   Fisheries.
2. Fisheries Amendments 2002..
3. Fisheries Management Bill 2013 currently in
   translation.

8
Fisheries Management Development Policies

• Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Plan
  2011 2015
• To revitalize the agriculture sector to increase
  its relative contribution to the national GDP by
  10 in 2015.
• Tuna Management and Development Plan 2011 2015
• Management of tuna resources and to sustain and
  maximize the economic benefits and participants
  of Samoans in the fishery.

9

• Aquaculture Management and Development Plan 2013
  2016
• Long term benefits of socio-economic growth for
  Samoa as a result of develop of the aquaculture
  sector in a sustainable and responsible way, as
  an income generating activity alternative to
  capture.
• 4. Coastal Fisheries Management and Development
  Plans 2013 2016 (in dvlpmt)
• The overall goal is to ensure sustainable food
  security and prosper livelihoods through
  sustainable utilization, development and
  management of coastal fisheries in Samoa.

10
Fisheries Management Programs

• Community-Base Fisheries Management Program
  (CBFMP)
• Bottom up Approach, Initiated in 1995, Village
  Management Plans (VMPs), Village By Laws Fish
  reserves.
• 94 villages with VMPs and 54 with fish reserves
• Licensing of Commercial Fisheries efforts and
  processes.
• Enforcement of Regulations
• Resource Independent and Dependent assessments
  and surveys.

11
Challenges in Relation to Climate Change

1. Outdated Legislation
2. Plans lacks climate change recognitions.
3. Climate change as a cross cutting issue involves
   other players.
4. Climate change impacts pose serious threats on
   fisheries resources.

12
(No Transcript)
13
Faafetai lava!