A study into palolo has recommended more research focusing on traditional knowledge and indigenous beliefs and practices connected to the the Samoan delicacy.

The recommendations follows a study on the sea worm by American undergraduate student, Emma Letti Lee which looked at the correlation between social change in Samoa and coral reef survival revolving around its access and consumption. 

She said the themes that stood out from her study done last year were that people were opting out of traditional practices for convenience; there was a shift towards western paradigms over traditional knowledge and values; people being unaware of the harm they were causing by stepping on the coral; people unable to acquire tools to prevent coral damage (i.e. paopao, flashlights); and a preference to buy palolo rather than fish which led to higher demand without increasing supply.

"The biggest outcome [of the study] is that local people care about coral reef health and know how important it is to protect them, but they don't know that stepping on corals while palolo fishing is harming them," Ms. Lee said.

"Traditional practices and values are very important to the protection of the coral reefs, and there should be more of an effort to retain them for future generations, especially in schools."

The American undergraduate student's research was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Samoa Conservation Society, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and various academics. 

The SPREP traditional knowledge officer, Siosinamele Lui, said in the research that when people live in urban areas traditional knowledge is no longer fully passed on as there is no longer a need for practising these traditions. 

“Learning is reinforced by practice, but when you just pass on the knowledge without practice, it’s incomplete knowledge," Ms. Lui said. 

"All the values that are associated with it are lost and there’s a disconnect between the people and the land." 

The traditional way of catching palolo in Samoa is done with a ula mosooi (garland of ylang ylang flowers) and a paopao(canoe), a practice which is rarely seen in Upolu today. This change in cultural practices has led to more people walking on coral reefs, thus destroying the marine habitat.

Ms. Lee added that the rising cost of living is a major factor behind traditional practices not being kept up and eventually abandoned altogether. 

"So I recommend more research to be done about palolo, especially research that focuses on the traditional knowledge and indigenous beliefs and practices," the American undergraduate student said.

"There needs to be more research on palolo worm population numbers, coral reef health surveys at palolo catching sites before and after a rising in sites, that allow stepping on corals compared to those that do not, surveys on public awareness of threats to corals, and more. 

"Schools need to include environmental literacy in their curricula while emphasising traditional knowledge and practices."

As part of her research, Ms. Lee interviewed seven experts, seven palolo fishers at their catching sites, and two sellers at the market.

"The interviews with palolo catchers and sellers were not as in-depth. They were asked five to nine questions and translated by the wonderful fisheries office team," she said.

While some believe that the loss of traditional values lead to a lack of respect for the environment, Ms. Lee said the lack of awareness on the issue is another problem area that need addressing.

Palolo is a traditional delicacy of Samoa and is the reproductive part of a marine worm that surfaces in October and November annually in Samoan waters, making its harvesting a culturally significant occasion for Samoan families.