The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt says Samoa remains committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Blue Pacific’s fisheries resources.

La'auli had made the comments during a virtual address to the China-Pacific Island Countries Forum on Fisheries Cooperation and Development which was held in Guangzhou, China on 7 and 8 December.

La'auli said in his address that the importance of the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector cannot be overemphasised.

“Fish continues to be one of the most traded food commodities, and for Samoa, fisheries exports account for a significant value of our traded commodities,” he said.

“The sector is key for employment opportunities, performs an irreplaceable role in our food and nutritional security and important to people’s livelihoods.

“There is pressure on coastal fisheries resources due to destructive fishing practises, and highly efficient fishing technology has led to reduced supply.

“To a lesser extent, cyclones and other natural disasters have also contributed to damage of natural resource habitats. Climate change is also impacting on our coastal and near-shore fisheries resources.”

The Minister said Samoa remains committed to protecting the viability of fisheries resources currently being compromised by I.U.U. fishing, climate change, marine plastic pollutions, oil spills and discharge of waste.

“As we well know, the use of plastic in many sectors necessitates an international global agreement to address marine litter and plastic pollution, and we reaffirm our support for the Pacific Regional Declaration on the Prevention of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution and its Impacts," he said. 

“I look forward to working closely with all our Pacific governments and China to responsibly and effectively manage our Blue Pacific Ocean and its fisheries.

“Samoa has great potential for aquaculture development, however investment and assistance is needed in this area. We see opportunities in collaboration with China to develop our aquaculture sector in a sustainable manner.”

He emphasised the importance of aquaculture as an alternative protein source for the nation, together with support to Samoa’s fisheries management strategies and provides adaptation to climate change.

With the cooperation comes the possibility of a Aquaculture Research and Development Centre, improved hatchery facilities, aquaculture experts to work and train our local fisheries staff, and increase aquaculture production and marketing potential.

“With cooperation for investment, we may be able to establish an on-shore processing facility for fish products to overseas markets and to be located close to ports such as that on the western side of Savaii,” he said.

“Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and China’s General Administration of Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2019 on inspection, quarantine and veterinary sanitary requirements for wild marine fishing aquatic products to be exported from Samoa to China.

“With the establishment now of Samoa’s Seafood Safety and Verification Unit, or Competent Authority, we would like to explore potential investment and development opportunities that would facilitate access for our fish and fishery products to China under the 2019 MOU between our Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.”

La'auli said that Samoa looks forward to working closely with China in developing specific capacity building and training opportunities in aquaculture and other areas of fisheries to ensure sustainable and quality development of the country's fisheries sector.