A consultation between various Government ministries and corporations at Taumeasina Island Resort is being held to further refine the sustainability of the policy dictating the management of marine resources in Samoa. 

The new policy dubbed the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (N.F.A.P. 2021-2031) has been created to guide the fisheries sector for the next 10 years.

During the consultation, it was identified that Samoa has one of the largest coastal fisheries in the Pacific, with an estimated catch of 84.37 tonnes in 2020 valued at US$663,101 making it essential to Samoa’s economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tilafono David Hunter, in an interview with the Samoa Observer emphasised the importance of fisheries during a pandemic. 

“The presence of COVID-19 in the world today has demonstrated the importance of self-sufficiency in food production," he said. 

"Fisheries and aquaculture production are important contributors to Samoa’s economic growth and development. That is the reason behind this initiative by the fisheries sector this morning.

"Our island nation is blessed with a wide range of fisheries resources which have the capacity to make a significant contribution to Samoa’s development goals for 2040.

“In striving to maximize the benefits from our living marine resources we must ensure that these resources and their sustaining habitats are maintained in a healthy condition, using science-based management and appropriate development initiatives as well as effective monitoring and compliance."

The policy will offer the Government, non-governmental and private sector organisations, donors and other stakeholders and associates a clear vision for the Samoan fisheries and the course that will be steered to achieve that vision. 

It also aims to identify key opportunities that will drive the activities and management plans of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The key goal of the M.A.F. Fisheries Division set to be achieved through the implementation of the new policy is to produce sustainable coastal fisheries managed using community-based and precautionary approaches.  

The Government is striving to achieve an equitable share of benefits from oceanic fisheries and increase aquaculture production.