1. Advisory Services

The Advisory Services Section is responsible for the Community-based Fisheries Management Program (CBFMP). The program was initiated in 1995 as the Fisheries Extension Program funded by the AusAid for five years. In 2001, the program was included in the Division’s Annual Plan of Activities, funded from the Ministry’s Budget.  This program aims to replenish the depleted inshore fishery resources of Samoa and promotes community involvement and ownership of responsible fishery resource management. The involvement of communities in the sustainable management of fishery resources through the matai system is considered the most effective way develop and monitor Village Fisheries Management Plans which detail undertakings of villages and Fisheries Division where villages enforce bylaws and monitor fishery resources with the technical advice and support from the Fisheries Division.  

2. Coastal Fisheries

The Inshore Section is responsible for the development and management of Samoa’s inshore marine resources. Activities carried include market surveys on inshore fisheries landing statistics, monitoring of fish reserves to maintain ecological processes and life support systems, preservation of species diversity, and promotion of the sustainable use of marine resources. The outcomes of these habitat and resource surveys facilitate the formulation of proper and effective measures for the sustainable and ecological management of Samoa’s fishery resources and habitats. 

3. Oceanic Fisheries

The Offshore Fisheries Section is responsible for the development and management of Samoa’s offshore marine resources. Activities carried out include provision of infrastructure support for the fishing industry, conducting of research to assist the determination of key offshore fisheries resources status, and promotion of the involvement of stakeholders in the management of the commercial fisheries. The Commercial Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (CFMAC) plays an active role in addressing issues hindering development and sustainability of the fishing industry. 

4. Aquaculture

The Aquaculture Section is responsible for farming aquatic organisms (bivalves) in seawater (mariculture) and tilapia in freshwater to alleviate marine fishing pressure. In an effort to lessen fishing pressure on the over-exploited near-shore fishery resources, aquaculture projects such as stocking of natural lakes/ponds and lagoon areas are implemented. The stocking of tilapia in natural lakes/ponds created important fisheries resources in certain communities. The provision replenish depleted resources is one of the many options attempted to enhance stock and prevent further decline in near-shore fishery resources and provide alternative sources of food for heavily exploited near-shore reefs and lagoons.  

5. Compliance

The Compliance Section enforces legislations and policies on fishing and conducts surveillance in collaboration with the Police Maritime Unit to monitor Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to deter and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This Section also inspects foreign fishing vessels to ensure compliance with such legislations. 

6. Administration and Fish Market Services

The Administration Unit is responsible for administrative duties and management of the Division’s Budget, Project Accounts, and the Fish Market used by the public for trading at a minimum cost. Fish sold are checked for quality prior to trading. The Fisheries Division’s main headquarter is located in central Apia next to the Fish Market but there are two headquarters in Savaii located in Salelologa and Asau. For more information regarding Fisheries, contact our Offices in Apia on telephone 20369; Salelologa Office on 51364, and Asau Office on 58113.  

Mandates:Stipulated under the Fisheries Act 1988 with scopes as:

§         To promote the conservation, management and development of fisheries of Samoa;

§         To promote the exploitation of the living resources of fishery waters;§         To promote marine scientific research;

§         To promote the protection and preservation of the marine environment.  

Mission Statement “To take actions that promote the optimum and ecologically sustainable use of the country’s fishery resources and to develop suitable alternatives to substitute for harvesting depleted resources and maximise benefits to Samoa”  

Strategic Objectives§         Enhancing the capability of Samoa in meeting its need for adequate supply of fisheries as to sustain food security.

§         Promote long-term sustainability of fishery resources by strengthening the legal framework, management capability and leadership capacity of Fisheries Division and stakeholders.

§         Maximizing economic benefit for Samoans through viable developments in partnership with fishers, donors, lending institutions and Government.

§         Sound scientifically and technologically based information and decisions thus strengthening the management and development of fisheries sector.

§         Improve the ability and resources of the Fisheries Division to provide service of the highest quality as to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.