The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries plans to move to different villages on both Upolu and Savai’i to begin the promotion of marine farming targeting certain species.

The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, recently reportedly said that the only way to develop selected marine species was through farming, aquaculture and conservation.

He said seafood was a favourite for many of the country’s elderly population but climate change as well as illegal use of species such as sea cucumbers continue to be a challenge hence the need for farming.

The M.A.F. Aquaculture Division’s Principal Fisheries Officer, Su’a Ulusapeti Tiitii, said most of the marine species are well established though there is a need to raise and advance in order to develop the seafood.

“The Ministry is focused on farming different marine species to develop and raise them for the environment and for food,” said Su’a.

“Species like giant clam (faisua), trochus(aliao), tilapia, sea grape and other marine species. “The Ministry will be going out to selected villages to share ideas and the experience, share with them the knowledge and skills to help and support them to produce a variety of species through farming.”

According to Su’a sea grapes which can be found in waters around Samoa are also a good source of vitamins A, B, C, K and beta carotene. 

“Grapes are always known to be healthy and are good for total human health, have a high nutritional value and we believe that from consuming sea grapes we could be able to prevent ourselves from having preventable sickness,” she said. 

“So we want to push our people to have the potential to develop marine species for our economy.”

Su’a graduated in April this year from the University of Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with a Masters Degree in Science and Aquaculture.

M.A.F. Chief Executive Officer Tilafono David Hunter told the Samoa Observer in an interview that there are currently many challenges facing the Ministry including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. 

“There are many challenges facing the Ministry, like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s affecting the needs of our partners,” said Tilafono.

“Also every Ministry and our working partners, sometimes they can’t coordinate well in providing the services needed for the development of our communities. 

“Sometimes our stakeholders' demands are very high and the Ministry tries its best to satisfy and help all of them.”