1. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Fisheries Sector: Samoa Priority adaptations to climate change for fisheries and aquaculture in Samoa: reducing risks and capitalising on opportunities Apia,4 th & 5 th April 2013 Prepared: Joyce Samuelu Ah Leong – Fisheries Division, MAF

2. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Presentation Outline Background Role and Status of fisheries in Samoa Fisheries Management and Development Frameworks Fisheries and Climate Change

3. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Background  Land area = 2,935 sqkm 2  Reef area =10,000 sqkm 2 at 50 m depth  EEZ = 120,000 sqkm 2  Annual GDP = 505.8 million USD ~ 11.4% from agriculture and fisheries

4. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Role of Fisheries Fisheries is vital in the Samoan way of life – protein, income earning, livelihoods, cultural and social values. A.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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Fisheries Management & Development Policies 1.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. 2.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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 3.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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Fisheries Management Programs 1.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 2.Licensing of Commercial Fisheries efforts and processes. 3.Enforcement of Regulations 4.Resource Independent and Dependent assessments and surveys.

11. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries 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. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

13. GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Faafetai lava!