FISHERIES DIVISION ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013

September 2013

Fisheries Division Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries HIGHLIGHTS 1. Coastal Fisheries

1.1. Management x Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2013 - 2016: The specific management and development of coastal Fisheries for is now laid out with the endorsement of the Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2013-2016. The four year plan streamlines priorities from the Ministry’s Sector Plan and the priorities from the main stakeholders to strengthen the management and sustain development of coastal fisheries and its resources. x Village Fisheries Management Plans (Plans): Seven (7) Plans were produced in this fiscal year. New plans were for i , i Fusi and Salamumu and 4 re-activated Plans. This brought the number of villages within the Community Base Fisheries Management Program (CBFMP) to ninety six (96) with 53 villages in and 43 in Savaii. x Village Fisheries Bylaws: Eleven (11) new bylaws were officially approved in this year and disseminated to all stakeholders. Enforcement of these rules is the pioneer responsibilities of the village management committees.

1.2. Development x Coral Reef Rehabilitation: Artificial coral structures and cemented fish houses were replanted with coral substrate at Sapulu Salelologa, Fasitootai and Salamumu fish reserves as recovery actions to rehabilitate coral reef growth. x Inshore Fishery Landings: The overall landings for inshore fish and seafood products domestically sold for this year was 129.55 metric tons generating a value of 1,617,979.29 tala which is a 5% decreased from last fiscal year’s value of 1,772.320.46 tala.

1.3. Research x Coral Reef Status: Average substrate coverage of twenty one (21) assessed fish reserves showed dominance of live corals of 42% with abiotic substrate second ranked of 22%. Algal group with dead coral with algae (DCA) recorded 16% and 14% respectively. The most abundant finfish were mainly species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) and parrotfish (Scaridae) families. While invertebrates were mainly of sea cucumbers. Replanted coral monitoring at Sapulu, Fasitoo tai and Salamumu showed minimum coral growth at the replanted area. x Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Monitoring: The four sites, , , Matafaa and Siumu reported the positive presence of the ciguatoxic dinoflagellate within the marine environment. Faleu and Siumu results were high enough to pose risks of ciguatoxic species and villages were informed. x Nation-wide Sea Cucumber Assessment: Second phase of this assessment was conducted in Upolu at the three sites; Manono, Faleula, Aleipata and Faleula. A total of 10 sea cucumber species were recorded in which two species lollyfish (loli) and greenfish (maisu) were in high densities. x Socio Economic Survey: The national fisheries socioeconomic survey to update the fisheries information on fishing activities was conducted in June-July 2012. A total of 100 villages coastal villages were sampled for this survey with 30% of households within each villages were surveyed. An estimated of 9,066mt of finfish and 7,804mt of invertebrates were landed in 2012 from village fishing. An average consumption per capita was 46.2kg/yr for finfish and invertebrate with 54.7kg/yr was calculated. x Cyclone Evan Assessment: A damage and loss assessment survey was carried out in January 2013 under the World Bank’s assistance to determine post-disaster needs. This survey formed the basis of the MAF Cyclone Evan Recovery Project now planned to initiate in October 2013 for two years.

1.4. Advisory Service: x Library and Information Service: Students from various schools and institutions have been utilizing our library for their research and studies. Information sheets and brochures were also disseminated on demand based and during our outreach programs. Four issues of our Quarterly newsletter were timely produced and disseminated to all stakeholders.

2. Offshore Fisheries Division

2.1. Management x Licensing of Fishing Vessels – An annual total of 71 commercial fishing licenses were issued to local fishing vessels to fish in Samoa’s EEZ, from a moratorium of 137 fishing licenses. This is a decrease of licenses issued compare to the 81 licenses issued in the last fiscal year.

2.2. Development • Long line Fishery Landings: The long line fleet landed an annual estimation of 1812mt of tuna and other pelagic species, a decline of about 11.4% compared to the previous year.

• Trolling and Bottom Fishing Landings: An estimated of 204.5mt of fish were caught and landed by trolling and bottom fishing operations, generating a value of S1, 488,779 tala. This is a decrease of 17.8% in volume compared to the previous fiscal year.

• Tuna Exports: A total of 1582 mt of fish were exported to overseas markets as fresh-chilled and frozen, generating total revenue of $11, 238, 834.00 SAT to the economy of Samoa.

• Ice Making Machine: A new ice-making machine was installed at Salelologa, to replace the operations of the old ice machine.

2.3. Advisory x Commercial Fisheries Management Advisory Committee: Two meetings of the committee were held on the 7th of August 2012 and 23rd of November 2012 respectively. A key highlight was the passing of three new licensing conditions. 3. Aquaculture

3.1. Developments x Sea Grape Farming: A new sea grape farm was set up at Lano village owned fish reserve through consultation with the village council. This increases the number of farms to 3 farms with Savaia and Leauvaa. x Tilapia Farming: A total numbers of 9 new farms were established and operated within this fiscal year. This brought the number of active tilapia farmers to forty three (43). The farmers are mainly of individual families with two of which are youth and village level farms. x Tilapia Production: An estimated production of 2,856kg was estimated from 3,570 baby fish distributed to the 13 farms stocked within the fiscal year. The production is estimated from the average weight of 400g per fish after six month growth and the two harvesting within the 12 months period.

3.2. Research x Red tilapia: This tilapia was introduced by the Fisheries Division for research purposes. A spawning was carried out and only sixteen frys were produced. They are currently being monitored at the Fisheries freshwater hatchery. x Freshwater Prawn: Capture based culture technique for the farming of Macrobrachium lar (ula vai) was trialed at Lotofaga Safata for this year. This method is to be promoted in the upcoming year. x Aquaponic: This system was promoted in this year during the Ministry’s Agriculture show to showcase an enclosed alternative technique to tilapia farming and gardening, where wastes from the tilapia are used by plants to recycle the water for reuse by the tilapia. 4. Compliance Section

4.1. Enforcement and Surveillance x Foreign Fishing Vessel Boarding Inspections: Forty nine (49) dockside boarding inspections for foreign fishing vessels that visited Samoa Ports were carried out. Nineteen (19) Sea Boarding Inspections for Fishing Vessels in Samoa’s national waters. x Exclusive Economical Zone (EEZ) Surveillance: There were 3 surveillance patrols for Samoa fishery waters, due to the unavailability of the Nafanua undergoing maintenance. x Transshipment Operation: Thirty five (35) port transshipment operation completed at Port for this fiscal year. There has been 100% coverage of transshipment operation in Samoa and an estimate 2.75mt (2,746,355 kg) of fish were transhipped from these vessels via Samoa Port for overseas markets for this fiscal year. x Fisheries Regulation enforcement: Forty four (44) reported cases from monitoring were investigated by Fisheries Law Enforcement. From these investigated infringements, 18 cases were prepared for legal review and court prosecutions. Most of the outcomes of court cases have been called for first appearance in the next fiscal year and results will be reported in FY 2013 - 2014.

4.2. Monitoring and certification x Vessel Monitoring System: Thirteen (13) Monitoring Transmitting Units (MTUs) were installed in thirteen registered domestic long-liners. The assistance has enabled fisheries management on Samoa’s long-liners to effectively monitor on track data of the fishing effort distribution for our national fleets using the vessel monitoring system. x Fish Processing Establishment Periodic Auditing: audits were completed by the Fisheries Division for the two Fish Processing Plants. Nineteen (19 Consignment packing inspections and 2 licensed Fish Processing Establishments in verification of information and enforcement of HACCP standards.

4.3. Advisory x Awareness program: 1 advertisement was produced and aired on Sept 2012 through TV Samoa for fishing license renewed period and procedures for fishing industry.

5. CHALLENGES Staff turnover has been a major challenge for the Fisheries Division during this fiscal year. We lost a total of 4 staffs during this year with one of our staff passed away suddenly, another reassigned due to illness, one is took study leave for a year. We also lost our ACEO of eight years when his contract was terminated and have created a huge gap within the management level of our Division.

Another challenge is the meeting of Samoa’s obligations in Fisheries related agreements such as the Tuna Commission, with the limited personnel and technical capacity. The Divisional structure is identified as a key solution which will be push strongly in the next fiscal year.

Operational Budget limitation continues to limit the operations of the Division and with the concern on the increase dependency of external funding as it is a short term solution and limits the development and management of Samoa’s fisheries as external funding have criteria and limitations.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Fisheries Division acknowledge the huge and valuable contribution of our former ACEO, Mr Mulipola Atonio Mulipola whom have contributed enormously to the development and management of Samoa’s fisheries sectors through more than 30years of his service through this division.

We acknowledge the ongoing support and services of the Forum Fisheries Agency, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Tuna Commission (WCPFC) that continue to strengthen and support the Fisheries Division in the management of the fisheries sector. We acknowledge with much appreciation the ongoing technical and financial support of the New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the USA Governments through their international AID agencies that enable the Fisheries Division to meet its annual targets yearly.

We dedicate this report in memory of our staff and good friend, Ms Lucille Aukusitino who passed away on the 3rd May 2013. Rest in Peace Sister.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

7. Coastal Fisheries Services

7.1. Coastal Fisheries Landings The surveying of the market outlets in Samoa to assess the utilization of fisheries products is one of the main functions of the Fisheries Division. The surveys are conducted three days a week at the Apia Fish Market, Fugalei Market and the Salelologa Market. The roadside survey is conducted once a week. The survey records the fish species, number of fish either sold individually or in strings and value and length is measured which later is used to determine the weight using the length-weight relationship ratios. The total weight of inshore fresh and processed seafood sold via local market outlets for this fiscal year was 129.55mt and valued at $1,617,979.21 which is a 5% decrease from last fiscal year’s value and 1% decrease in volume. These are detailed below.

Table 1: Total annual inshore fisheries species in major groups landed and sold domestically for this fiscal year FY 2012 - 2013

Groups Estd Value Estd Wt Estd Wt % % Average (ST$) (kg) (mt) Weight Value Price per kg

CRUSTACEAN $ 63,920.31 2,461.74 2.46 1.90 3.95 $ 25.97 ECHINODERMS $ 12,695.33 6,825.70 6.83 5.27 0.78 $ 1.86

FINFISH $ 927,030.62 90,728.30 90.73 70.03 57.30 $ 10.22

MOLLUSCS $ 29,829.48 8,603.69 8.61 6.64 1.84 $ 3.47

OTHER $ 128,671.65 10,354.97 10.36 7.99 7.95 $ 12.43

PROCESSED $ 455,831.82 10,572.98 10.57 8.16 28.17 $ 43.11

$ 1,617,979.21 129,547.38 129.55 100.00 00.00

Table 2: Annual catches of inshore fisheries species at the main selling outlets for FY 2012 -2013

Market Estimated Estimated Estimated % by % by Avg Price Value (ST$) Wt (kg) Wt (mt) Weight Value per kg

Apia Fish $ 577,002.78 49,561.59 49.56 38.26 35.66 $ 11.64 Market Fugalei $ 244,416.10 10,215.75 10.22 7.89 15.11 $ 23.93 Agriculture Market Roadside $ 583,969.71 47,486.47 47.49 36.66 36.09 $ 12.30 Salelologa $ 212,590.64 22,283.56 22.28 17.20 13.14 $ 9.54 Market $ 1,617,979.23 129,547.37 129.55 100.00 100.00

$180,000.00 16,000.00

$160,000.00 14,000.00 $140,000.00 12,000.00 $120,000.00 10,000.00 $100,000.00 8,000.00 $80,000.00 6,000.00 $60,000.00 4,000.00 $40,000.00

$20,000.00 2,000.00 Estd Value $0.00 - (ST$) Estd Wt (kg)

Picture 1: Monthly catches in value and volume for FY 2012-2013

$2,000,000.00 160,000.00 $1,800,000.00 140,000.00 $1,600,000.00 120,000.00 $1,400,000.00 $1,200,000.00 100,000.00 $1,000,000.00 80,000.00 $800,000.00 60,000.00 $600,000.00 40,000.00 $400,000.00 $200,000.00 20,000.00 $- -

Estd Value Estd Weight (ST$) (kg)

Picture 2: Annual catches in value and volume in the last 10 years

7.2. Fisheries Resource Monitoring: Fisheries resource monitoring is an essential component of fisheries management. The status of the fisheries resources in relation to it environment can be the indicators for the health of the marine environment and its resources and better inform fisheries managers on the level of management or approach to be taken to be effective. Ecological assessments of fish reserves, stock assessments of specific fish and invertebrate species, biological and physical monitoring of the marine environment are all part of the technical service provided by the Fisheries Division for our stakeholders. The resource assessments conducted during the fiscal year were:

i. Village fish reserve assessments: A total of 15 fish reserves were assessed, 6 were initial assessments for newly established reserves which are Utulaelae, Sapoe, Salamumu, Sapulu Salelologa, Fusi and Puapua. These assessments focus on data collection on substrate coverage, finfish and invertebrate abundance. The method used for assessing the substrate coverage was the Point Intercept Transect method, with fish count and length estimation using the BELT Transect method. Table 3 presents an overall summary result on the substrate coverage of fish reserves assessed during this fiscal year. The results revealed that out of 15 fish reserves assessed, seven of these were recorded showing a good live coral with more than 50% coverage. The rest were dominated by algae growth and abiotic with less than 40% coverage of live corals.

Table.3: Summary of substrate coverage of all assessed fish reserves during this FY 12/13 Live Dead Dead Coral FR Corals Abiotic Algae corals with algae Bleached Others Salamumu (22/03/13) 62.05 20.26 1.54 2.31 13.59 0 0.26 Afega (20/3/13) 54.25 25.2 0.84 1.7 14.95 0 0 Vavau (14/2/13) 30.25 11.28 1.79 8.46 48.3 0 0 Sapo’e (07/09/12) 4.1 37.1 25.2 16.7 16.7 0 0 Utulaelae (1/11/12) 22.11 57.68 0.32 0 19.87 0 0 Samatau (28/11/12) 74.5 10.9 7.7 2.1 4.7 0 0 uta (4/12/13) 5.11 26.49 68.36 0 0 0 0 Siufaga Faga (15/4/13) 45 31 1.6 0 22.4 0 0 (15/4/13) 65.39 9.28 3.84 0.64 10.58 9.94 0.32 Vaisala (16/4/13) 68.73 12.57 6.16 0.51 8.72 0.77 0 Asau (16/4/13) 51.27 7.38 27.24 0.32 7.37 0 6.41 Pu'apu'a (17/4/13) 26.22 32.13 2.06 0.77 11.57 27.25 0 Fusi (17/4/13) 33.98 12.49 45.51 0 5.77 0 1.6 Papa Puleia (18/4/13) 53.84 28.2 1.28 0 16.67 0 0 Sapulu (18/4/13) 33.98 12.49 45.51 0 5.77 0.64 1.6 Figure.3 presents an overall summary result on substrate coverage of all fish reserve assessed this fiscal year. Figure.4 showcases the most abundant fish and invertebrates (Figure.5) recorded from the assessments.

1800 18.00 Top ten abundant fish species with their percentages 1600 16.00 1400 14.00 1200 12.00 1000 10.00 800 8.00

Abundance Abundance 600 6.00 400 4.00 % abundance 200 2.00 0 0.00

Abundance

% Abundance Fish species Picture 3: Overall fish species recorded in abundance from fish reserve monitoring for FY 2012-2013

8000 60.00 Top ten invertebrates species with their percentages 7000 50.00 6000 5000 40.00 4000 30.00 3000 20.00 Abundance Abundance 2000 1000 10.00 % Abundance 0 0.00

Abundance

Picture 4: Overall invertebrate species recorded from fish reserve monitoring for FY2012-2013

ii. Coral Replanting Monitoring: Three sites were replanted with coral substrates during the fiscal year. On the 24th-31st May 2013, these sites were assessed using the permanent quadrat method with quadrat measuring up to 1m x1m (Area = 1m2) to verify whether the replanting was successful in terms of coral growth and duplication. The overall results showed that there was low to no growth of the replanted corals in all three sites. This means for the Fisheries Division to improve on the site assessments to ensure the correct and most appropriate locations are selected for coral replanting to achieve the targets of coral replanting and avoid these types of results.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Monitoring: The monitoring for the ciguatoxic dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus is an ongoing monitoring undertaken by the Fisheries Division since 2007 to monitor the presence of this dinoflagellate and the likelihood of occurrence or outbreak of ciguatera fish poisoning. A handful of algae were collected from intertidal and submerged reefs of the selected sites with two replicates from three stations of each sites. To separate the dinoflagellate, G.toxicus from the host algae, the samples were then shook for 5 minutes in a container with 500ml of filtered seawater. Then sieved into 3 mesh sieves (250micron, 160micron and 38micron). The residue left on the 38micron mesh sieve was washed into measuring cylinder of 15ml then transferred into 50ml vial and formalin of 15ml later added to preserve the residue in the vial. After 2-3 days of allowing the preserved residue to settle, three distinct layers were noted (top layer: formalin, middle layer: suspended organic matter, base layer: basal sediment). The middle layer is measured as well as the diameter of the vial which the residue is stored using the vernier caliper. Then use the micropipette to draw 0.1ml from the middle layer and mount on a microscope counting slide and observed under a microscope to investigate and count the number of G.toxicus present. There are three 0.1ml subsamples drawn from vial and three counting replicates carried out for each. The common algae hosts from these positive samples were those of brown algae (Turbinaria) and funnel weed (Padina). Estimated densities were calculated from individual counts of G. toxicus are used as indicator of risk for an area to be ciguatoxic. The densities obtained showed Siumu (1683 individuals/100 grams of algae) and Faleu (1442 individuals/100 grams of algae) sites as possible areas at risk of hosting ciguatoxic species.

iii. CRIOBE Climate Change Monitoring: A new initiate between the Fisheries Division and the CRIOBE under the Polynesian Mana umbrella. The Polynesian Mana is a network of Polynesian countries for coral reef monitoring of permanent monitoring sites. The reef adjacent to Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Mulifanua was selected and assessed as a permanent site. Results showed an average coral coverage of 41% with 6 genus live corals recorded. Finfish abundance was noted to be of 204 individuals of 87 species. Temperature logger and wave meters were deployed during this assessment for monitoring physical status of the site. The results are now available on the CRIOBE website www.criobe.pf

iv. Nation-wide Sea Cucumber Assessment: The assessment for the Upolu sites continuous from the last fiscal year were conducted in August 2012. A total of 10 sea cucumber species were recorded in which two species lollyfish (loli) and greenfish (maisu) are in high densities with an average. Greenfish is not important in the local subsistence fishery and is the most abundant species. This assessment also found very less record of the important subsistence species dragonfish (sea) and brown sand fish (fugafuga). Continuous fishing of the species at daytime and night time is likely to drive the species to local extirpation. This is recommended to explore aquaculture development for low abundant species as well as a Sea Cucumber Management plan to be developed as a matter of priority.

7.3. Socio Economic Survey: Fisheries socio-economic survey is to assess the socio-economic of village communities in regards to fishing activities. The objective is to gage the status of fishing activities relative to the fisheries management and marine conservation programs at the village level and how these impacts these fishing activities. A total of 100 villages were sampled which is about 30% of the total villages in Samoa and 10% of the number households of each sampled village were surveyed. Households were surveyed on their income and expenses, fishing activities methods and gears, catch usages (whether they are sold, give away of consume) and post harvest methods. Fishing activities were analyzed to in males and female groups and the village levels on the two programs the Community-Base Fisheries Management Program and the Marine Protected Area program. An estimated of 9,066mt of finfish and 7,804mt of invertebrates were landed in 2012 from village fishing. An average consumption per capita was 46.2kg/yr for finfish and invertebrate with 54.7kg/yr. Other important fishing activities such as fishing efforts, catch per unit effort, fishing sites and so forth were determined and reported.

7.4. Community-base Fisheries Management Program (CBFMP) The CBFMP since its initiation in 1995 continues to be a critical fisheries management approach for the Fisheries Division and the involvement of village communities. Since the initiation in 1995 there has been an increase on the number of villages joining the program and had strengthen the collaborations between the Division and the coastal villages in Samoa. The components of this program are highlighted below:

i. Village Fisheries Management Plans: These Plans legally recognise the obligations by both the village and the Fisheries Division in implementing the CBFMP. For this year a total of 7 Plans were finalised, endorse and implemented. This consist of 3 new Village Fisheries Management Plans and reactivation of four 4 inactive Plans. This brought the number of villages within the CBFMP to 96 villages with 53 in Upolu and 43 in Savaii. The process of facilitating these plans at the villages takes about 5 weeks before final approval.

Table 3: New and re-activated Village Management Plans

Village Date of Endorse Plan Sapulu Salelologa 31/8/2012 Vaimaga Safotulafai 6/11/2012 Salamumu 4/03/2013 (reactivate) 5/12/2012 Fasitootai (reactivte) 23/01/2013 Pu’apu’a (reactivate) 3/4/2013 Vaiusu (Reactivate) 16/3/2013

Each plan contains management measures and undertakings proposed by the village to promote conservation and sustainable management of coastal resources and development of alternatives to improve food security and livelihood. On the other hand, technical assistance from the Division are incorporated to strengthen and motivate communities involvement. Village undertakings are summarised as follows: x Ban destructive fishing methods such as dynamite, poisons and chemicals x Ban coral smashing to capture small fish x Ban overfishing x Ban the use of small mesh size nets x Ban fishing undersize fish and shellfish x Ban scuba fishing x Establish fish reserve to protect habitats and resources x Development of aquaculture activities x Provide community trainings to improve skills and capacity x Conduct reef enhancement through species restocking and coral replanting x Diversify fishing technology x Develop village fisheries bylaws

The review of the Village Management Plans is an on-going bi annual monitoring by the Fisheries Division to monitor the performance of the villages. This is to assess the degree of performance of the village in implementing the agreed undertaking within the Village Management Plans. The review for this year resulted in 25 out of 43 Plans gain above 80%, which is a very successful performance in responsible managing for the development and management of their own fishing resources. The 18 Plans out of 43 scored below 80% identified problems such as lack of enforcement of village laws, illegal fishing in fish reserves, lack of leadership of village mayors, lack of support from the village and as well as Fisheries Division. It was noted that a contributing factor to the drop in performance of some villages is the recent cyclone Evan which caused much destruction to home properties and assets. Table 4: Villages performances in the implementations of their Village Management Plans undertakings

Upolu Villages Performance % Savaii Villages Performance % Lepuiai Manono 90.02 Fagasa 88.42 Vailoa Aleipata 87.67 Lano 88.3 Matautu Falealili 87.4 Lefagaoalii 87.4 Siufaga Falelatai 87.33 Salimu 87.1 85.55 Vaimaga i Fusi 86.9 Vaovai 85.33 Malae 86.8 Malaemalu 84.83 Vaisala 86.4 Satuimalufilufi 83.98 84.1 Salesatele 83.61 Satafao 83.9 Safaato’a 82 Tafua 83.5 Salani 81.52 Sapulu 83.1 Tafatafa &Matavai 79 Salē 82.1 Saleapaga 76.96 Sapini 82.1 Sapo’e 75.65 Sasina 81.1 Samatau 74.17 Luua 78.8 Faleu uta 71.31 Satuiatua 78.7 Poutasi 71.04 Foailalo 76.9 Satalo 71 Sapapalii 75.7 Saleilua 70.1 Fatuvalu 74 Lalovi 66.2 Satoalepai 70.2 Matatufu 47.2 Saasaai 63.9 Aufaga 42.8

ii. Village fisheries bylaws: Village bylaws are village rules prepared by the village fono and are legally recognised in the Court of law by provisions of the Fisheries Act 1988. The process for the development of By Laws is the village council decides on their types of regulations for the management of their marine environment. The Fisheries Division provide the legal assistance and ensuring that these propose regulations are within the Fisheries Act 1988. A total of 11 village bylaws were approved within this twelve months period as shown in table below.

Table 5: Villages Fisheries By-Laws approved in FY2012-2013

Villages By Laws Approved 1 Lefagaoalii 20 March 2013 2 Safua 20 March 2013 3 Malae 20 March 2013 4 Satafaō 20 March 2013 5 Afega 20 March 2013 6 Matautu uta Lefaga 20 March 2013 7 Fasitootai (renew) 20 March 2013 8 Safaatoa 20 March 2013 9 Malaemalu 20 March 2013 10 Manono 20 March 2013 11 Samatau 20 March 2013

8. Offshore Fisheries

8.1. Licensing of Fishing Vessels: For licensing period 2012-2013, a total of 71 commercial fishing licenses were issued to respective fishing vessels. The table below further explains the licensing system and license vessels for this year.

Table 6: Samoa fishing vessels allowable for licesning, license fees and total vessels license within the FY2012-2013

Vessel Class Class A Class B Class C Class D Class E License Limit 100 10 10 12 5 License Fee 200 1000 5000 8000 10000 License for 2012-2013 58 - 2 9 2

8.2. Observer Trips: Four observer trips were conducted over the last fiscal year by certified observers Michael Forsyth and Apelu Isaia. The following vessels were observed during the fiscal year 2012-2013: o Violomanu – 04/09/2012 – 28/09/2012 - Michael Forsyth o Jessica – 18/01/2013 – 01/02/2012 – Michael Forsyth o Coureur De Bios III – 27/04/2013 – 09/08/2013 – Michael Forsyth o Tokalani – 27/04/2013 – 09/05/2013 – Apelu Isaia The key information collected from these observer trips were: x Length measurements and conditions of all fish landed on deck; x all fish discarded; x all fishing operations and other associated activities; x interactions of longline with cetaceans; x any noncompliance which violated WCPFC’s Conservation & Management Measures (CMMs); x general information about the fishing vessel license, validness of sea-safety equipments & appliances, and skipper/crew certification; x Navigation and Communication system onboard; x any oil pollution incidents which violate the MARPOL Convention; x any incidental catch on Species of Special Interest protected under Fisheries Management plans such as Marine Turtles and Sharks; x any Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) activity.

8.3. Commercial Fisheries Management Advisory Committee (CFMAC): The two CFMAC meetings conducted for the last fiscal year revolved around the following issues: o Progress on development work in increasing the value of Samoa's albacore fisheries. o Members of the committee suggested the use of oceanographic/ scientific data to better understand the varying albacore trends in the EEZ of Samoa. o Members agreed with the albacore catch allocation of 5760 MT to be presented and discussed in the next meeting with FFA SC-SPTBF o Three new licensing condition were passed by the Minister and CF-MAC Members that include o Progress on Management Protocols for Tuna and By Catch species

8.4. Offshore Fisheries Statistics

i. Bottomfish and Trolling Market landing surveys are carried out twice a week by Fisheries officers at Apia and Salelologa market outlets. The survey targets new fish landed at the markets from bottomfish and troll vessels (artisanal fishery), collating information on the total number of fish caught from respective artisanal fishing trips and the number, length and price of fish sold at the two market locations. From analysis of market landing survey data, a total of 204.5 mt of fish, caught from trolling and bottom fishing operations altogether account for this fiscal year. Troll catch mainly consisted of small yellowfin, skipjack, dolphinfish and barracudas. Bottom fishing operations landed mostly emperors, snappers, groupers, trevallies and other demersal fish species, all of which comprised heavily of humpback snappers (Lutjanus gibbus). The estimated value of trolling and bottom fishing catches for this fiscal year totaled up to 1,488,779 SAT.

Table 7: Total volume and value estimated for the bottom fishing and trolling for the FY2012-2013 Fishing Est. Est. Value SAT) Comp Comp Value Aver Price/Kg Weight Weight (%) (mt) (%) Bottomfishing 11.5 $ 150,332.00 5.6 10.1 $ 13.03 Trolling 193 $ 1,338,447.00 94.4 89.9 $ 6.92 TOTAL 204.5 $ 1,488,779.00 100 100

ii. Tuna Longline Fishery: An estimated weight of 1812 mt of tuna and other fish species were landed during this fiscal year 2012-2013, a decrease of around 11.4% as compared to the last fiscal year. The bulk of total landings was dominated by the albacore species accounting for 81.14% of catches. Yellowfin made up 9.68% of catches with Bigeye tuna and other fish species such as wahoo, dolphin fish, swordfish, skipjack, marlins and others.

Table 8: Total longline species catch for the FY2012-2013

Longline Species Weight (mt) Composition (%) YELLOWFIN 175 9.68 BIGEYE 47 2.59 ALBACORE 1470 81.14 SKIPJACK 22 1.24 OTHER SPECIES 97 5.35 TOTAL 1812 100.00

iii. Tuna Exports: An estimated total of 11,238,834 tala was generated from fresh chilled and frozen tuna exported to overseas markets which is an increase of 16% compared to that of the last fiscal year (FY 11-12). Ninety- eight (98%) of exports consisted of frozen albacore sent to the cannery in American Samoa for processing while the remaining 2% of the total weight were utilized for fresh-chilled markets in the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia and Ecuador.

Table 9: Estimated tuna exports for FY 2012-2013

FY 12-13 Est. Weight (MT) Est. Value ($SAT) Comp. Weight (%) Comp. Value (%) Fresh-Chilled 33 $333, 211.00 2% 3% Frozen 1549 $10,905,623.00 98% 97% TOTAL 1582 $11,238,834.00 100% 100%

8.5. Offshore Fisheries Developments i. Ice – Making Machine: A new ice making machine replaced the old ice making machine in Apia and this improved the quality and quantity of ice produced for the fishermen. The sale price of the ice is $30 for ½ a bin and $60 for the whole bin, the bucket is $10.

9. Aquaculture Section

9.1. Development i. Tilapia Farming and Production: There were seven (7) new tilapia farms established during this fiscal year increasing the number of active farms to forty (40) for Samoa. The summary of existing and new tilapia farms and the estimated tilapia farm production is tabulated below.

Table 10: Summary of tilapia farms in Samoa and their estimated productions for the last five years

NAME VILLAGE Date No. of Total Pond Pond No. Avg Total Avg Produ Est Value Establish ponds # of area Volu fish weig Weig leng ction (SAT$) ed fish (m2) me sample ht ht th (kg) stock (m3) (kg) (kg) (cm) ed EST. 1 Toniga Lilo Faleapun 21-Jan- 1 500 40 40 23 0.22 5.05 22.6 400 $ -08 a 05 6 2,000.00 2 Sione Taito Laulii 28-Jan- 1 500 12 12 20 0.28 5.55 24.2 400 $ 05 8 2,000.00 3 SSBA Falelauni 1-May- 2 750 675 675 25 0.146 3.65 20.9 600 $ u 06 6 3,000.00 4 EFKS youth Faleseela 14-Aug- 6 2500 430 430 21 0.15 3.05 19.1 2000 $ 07 3 10,000.00 5 Seleni Faigā Faleseela 12-Jun- 8 450 72 72 50 0.044 2.23 13.1 360 $ 08 6 78 1,800.00 TOTALS 18 4700 1229 1229 139 19.53 3760 $ 18,800.00 FY 6 Tony Halman Aleisa 24-Jan- 1 150 15.386 41.54 10 190 1.9 20.1 120 $ 08- 08 22 2 600.00 09 7 Su'a Suluape Faleasiu 21-Jul-08 2 200 32 32 50 0.66 8.39 8.39 160 $ 800.00 8 Fui Polo Alailua Vaitoloa 24-Sep- 2 100 14.85 14.85 20 0.012 0.25 8.1 80 $ tai 08 5 400.00 9 Salā T Vaimili Vailele 23-Feb- 3 3000 546 655.2 50 0.013 650 9 2400 $ 09 12,000.00 10 Fuimaono Rimoni Salani 18-Mar- 7 150 48 216 30 0.015 0.45 8.1 120 $ Esera 09 600.00 TOTALS 15 3600 656.23 959.5 160 660.9 2880 $ 6 922 9 14,400.00 FY 11 village pool Sapapalii 5-Sep-09 1 300 201.24 301.8 30 0.043 1.299 12.5 240 $ 09- 6 33 9 3 1,200.00 10 12 Catholic youth Faleula- 21-Sep- 1 470 88 88 30 0.015 0.45 8.86 376 $ tai 09 1,880.00 13 Tafale Luuga Vaivase 24-Dec- 1 20 4 2 10 0.02 0.2 10.4 16 $ uta 09 8 80.00 TOTALS 3 790 293.24 391.8 70 1.949 632 $ 6 9 3,160.00 FY 14 women's Falealup 18-Aug- 2 70 24 24 20 0.03 0.6 4 56 $ 10- committee o 10 280.00 11 15 Safia Iakopo Salani 9-Feb-11 1 1400 60 60 30 0.016 19.2 10.4 1120 $ 5 5,600.00 16 Simi Keil Lotofaga 17-Feb- 1 100 28 19.6 10 0.009 0.9 5.2 80 $ aleipata 11 400.00 17 Ueta Faasili Jr Saoluafat 18-Mar- 2 50 64 128 20 0.023 0.45 8.03 40 $ a 11 200.00 18 Fuamatu Fuga Laulii 18-May- 1 15 8 6.4 15 0.07 1.05 15.7 12 $ 11 8 60.00 19 Alapati Avealalo Moamoa 10-Jun- 1 100 32 64 20 0.015 0.3 8.49 80 $ 11 400.00 TOTALS 8 1735 216 302 115 22.5 1388 $ 6,940.00 FY 20 Saleimoa Saleimoa 7-Jul-11 1 300 8 8 20 0.69 13.8 13.9 240 $ 11- community 1,200.00 12 21 Sauni atu school Saoluafat 12-Jul-11 1 19 3.14 500 19 0.016 0.3 9.12 15.2 $ a 76.00 22 YWAM Falelauni 19-Jul-11 2 69 40 32 20 0.045 0.9 9.24 55.2 $ u 276.00 23 EFKS youth Leulumo 23-Nov- 1 110 94.6 122.9 20 0.063 1.25 8.23 88 $ ega tuai 11 8 440.00 24 Lau Pepese Lotofagā 20-Dec- 2 105 76.8 38.4 20 0.023 0.45 4.17 84 $ safata 11 420.00 25 Pese brown Lotofaga 1-Dec-11 1 50 8 8 20 0.017 0.35 9.44 40 $ aleipata 5 200.00 26 Malama Meleiseā Tiapapat 23-Dec- 1 120 53.12 58.43 20 0.105 2.1 9.06 96 $ a 11 2 480.00 27 Farani Posala Vailima 20-Jan- 1 230 104 228.8 20 0.259 5.18 10.4 184 $ 12 1 920.00 28 Father Patolo Leufisa 2-Feb-12 1 25 3.14 6.28 10 0.006 0.062 10.7 20 $ 5 9 100.00 29 Aleki Schuster Malifa 6-Feb-12 1 21 8 8 10 0.004 0.042 11.1 16.8 $ 9 84.00 30 Lepale Fafitu Vaitoloa- 17-Apr- 1 25 16.25 8.125 15 0.007 0.1 12.9 20 $ tai 12 100.00 31 Levusi Levi Moamoa 17-May- 1 20 6.25 9.375 10 0.11 1.1 15.0 16 $ 12 3 80.00 32 Raeli Mata'ia Vaitele 17-May- 1 100 48 120 20 0.215 4.3 13.0 80 $ fou 12 6 400.00 33 Toleafoa Faafisi Fasitoo 15-Jun- 2 85 25.205 18.14 10 0.383 3.83 13.6 68 $ uta 12 76 340.00 TOTALS 17 1279 494.50 1166. 234 33.76 1023. $ 5 5396 45 2 5,116.00 FY 34 Seve Sung Moamoa 13-Jul-12 2 65 37 27.75 10 0.13 1.3 10.7 52 $ 12- 260.00 13 35 Anarosa Molioo Ululoloa 1-Aug-12 1 34 7 5.39 10 0.042 0.42 9.72 27.2 $ 136.00 36 Faasavala Lam Alafua 10-Aug- 2 40 34.35 32.91 10 0.062 0.62 10.9 32 $ 12 48 160.00 37 Michael Von Lalovaea 23-Aug- 1 341 160 64 20 0.341 6.82 10.2 272.8 $ Reiche 12 2 1,364.00 38 Sapulu village Sapulu 20-Sep- 1 958 82.4 164.8 20 0.015 14.37 10.8 766.4 $ community Salelolog 12 3,832.00 a 39 Siatua Tafaigata Tafaigata 30-Oct- 4 66 49.28 49.28 20 0.027 0.55 12.0 52.8 $ prison 12 5 9 264.00 40 Samoa Breweries Vatiele- 8-Mar- 1 21 4.785 4.019 10 0.110 1.1 17.8 16.8 $ Limited fou 13 4 7 84.00 TOTALS 12 1525 374.81 348.1 100 25.18 1220 $ 5 542 0 6,100.00 GRAND TOTALS 73 818 $ 54,516.00 13,62 3,263. 4,397 763.9 10,90 9 80 .15 1 3.20

Est. Production (active farmers) No. of active 40 Est. Production Calculation: (total no. of fish stocked x farmers (kg) 10,903 0.4kg) x 2 harvests in a year. .20 No. of active 73 Est. Value $ Calculated at $5/kg: (Est. ponds (SAT$) 54,516 Production x $5) .00 Total area of 3263.8 development (m2) Total weight of 763.91 Fingerlings distributed (Kg)

ii. Giant Clam Nurseries: An assessment of giant clams within village nurseries is one of the main services provided by the Aquaculture Section of the Fisheries Division. Nineteen clam nurseries were assessed on a quarterly basis to monitor the growth rates for this fiscal year. Overall, there are nine hundred and fifty four (954) giant clams out of the 25 nurseries been monitored and sampled. The totals are currently inclusive of Tridacna maxima (faisua samoa), and it can grow up to 0.05cm per month. Table 11: List of giant clam nurseries and the growth rate determined quarterly for FY 2012-2013

Village Species name Current Totals 1 Gagaifo Tridacna derasa 46 Tridacna maxima 11 2 Safa'atoa Tridacna derasa 68 3 Savaia Tridacna derasa 153 4 Samatau Tridacna derasa 12 5 Siufaga Tridacna derasa 54 Tridacna squamosa 10 6 Matautu Tridacna derasa 3 Tridacna maxima 42 Tridacna squamosa 5 7 Vaovai Tridacna derasa 63 8 Poutasi Tridacna derasa 7 9 Salesatele Tridacna maxima 16 10 Malaemalu Tridacna derasa 68 11 Satalo - - 12 Aufaga Tridacna derasa 25 13 Utulaelae Tridacna squamosa 2 14 Matatufu - - 15 Vailoa Aleipata Tridacna derasa 68 16 Tafagamanu Tridacna derasa 10 17 Satuimalufilufi - - 18 Salua Tridacna derasa 17 Tridacna maxima 2 19 Lepuia’i Tridacna derasa 85 Tridacna maxima 15 20 Papa Puleia Tridacna maxima 4 21 Vaisala Tridacna derasa 71 22 Fatuvalu Tridacna derasa 5 23 Salē Saipipi Tridacna maxima 9 Tridacna squamosa 13 Tridacna gigas 2 24 Sapini Tridacna maxima 11 25 Salimu Tridacna derasa 4 Tridacna gigas 2 Tridacna maxima 24

iii. Mudcrab Farming: A farm was set up in Sogi using plastic mesh wire of size 2m x 50m; the farm is 10m x 10m and it was stocked with 50 juvenile mud crabs. The farm was managed by the Sogi CCCS Youth under the leadership of Rev Elder Kerisiano Soti. The crabs were fed from fish trash collected from Apia Fish Packers Ltd processing unit. The Fisheries staffs assisted the youth farm by providing hands on training on farm management and farm maintenance and also to assist by conducting data collection by sampling the crabs after every 4 weeks. However, after the 1st three months, there were no samples taken from the farm because the farm fence was damage by intruders resulted in the escape of all the crabs.

iv. Seagrape Farming: A new seagrape farm was set up at Lano village fish reserve. 80kg of sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa var occidentalis) biomass collected and stocked six aqua trays of 1x1m2 and two of 2x1m2 at the site. This farm was set up twice due to the damages of the farm by fishers in the first time; however, the second time was noticed as the cause of fish grazing. The existing farm in Savaia was restocked twice during this fiscal year. The first restocking was in November 2012 then harvested in December 2012. The total production from 10 aquatrays of 1x1m was about 70kg for the first harvest, then about 60kg of the second harvesting of the same stocking. This harvest were sold at the village’s agricultural market at the price of $5/bundle and some were distributed to the communities for consumption. The total amount of income generated from this harvesting as reported by the committee members was around $800.00 from 7trays; the other 3 trays were distributed. Then the second restocking was carried out on the last week of June 2013 with the intention to harvest in July. This restocking was including both aquatrays of 1x1m and 2x1m. 10. Compliance Section

10.1. Enforcement and Surveillance A total of 41 boarding inspections were conducted for foreign fishing vessels that visit Samoa Port. The Island of Pukapuka and Te Ravakai (Cook Island Flagg) are the dominant fishing vessels that visit Samoa for maintenance reasons. Other foreign vessels visit Samoa Port be for crew changed, emergency medical and transshipment operation requested in Samoa Port. FFV Visits by gear type were Fish Carrier 4, Longliners 35, and Purse Seine 2.

Table 12: Number of foreign fishing vessels (FFV) that were boarded during their visits to Samoa Port

Purpose # of Boarding’s Transhipment 30 Bunker 2 Crew Change 3 Maintenance 4 Customs Port Clearance 2 Total 41

19 Sea Boarding Inspections for Fishing Vessels in Samoa’s national waters is executed in collaboration with Police Maritime Wing Nafanua Patrol Boat in enforcing noncompliance to fishing License, fishing license terms and conditions (reference to CMMs) and safety requirements on fishing Vessels in Samoa waters.

10.2. Exclusive Economical Zone (EEZ) Surveillance: Fisheries Officers attended 2 maritime patrols by the SPB Nafanua, and 1 US Coast Guard Kukui. Total of 3 Surface Surveillance Patrols conducted in Samoa fishery waters. Where 16 patrol Sea days were achieved for last year.

Table 13: Summary of sea surface surveillance for FY 2012-2013

# Patrol vessel Patrol Date Patrol Area Participants 1 USCGC Kukui 05 – 13 Nov 2012 Samoa, American Samoa Police, Fisheries, (US), Tonga EEZ USCG SPB Nafanua 27-28 May 2013 2 Samoa EEZ Police, Fisheries

SPB Nafanua 12 - 17 June 2013 3 Samoa EEZ Police, Fisheries

The continuous support from the Government of New Zealand and Australia provided aerial patrols for Samoa Fishery waters. 2 aerial patrols conducted by NZ NORPAT (P3K), 1 patrol conducted by AUS Air Force and 1 local airline Samoa Air aerial surveillance patrol funded by Govt of Australia.

Table 14: Summary of aerial surveillance for FY2012-2013

Patrol Plane Patrol Dates Patrol Area NZ NORPAT 05 - 14 Dec 2012 Samoa EEZ NZ NORPAT 25 June 2013 Samoa EEZ AUS Air Force 17 – 20 Jun 2013 Samoa EEZ Samoa Air (AUS) 14 Jun 2013 Samoa EEZ

Fisheries and Police law enforcement officers were involved in two main regional surveillance operations known as Op Kurukuru (Dec 2012) and Op Tui-Moana (June 2013) to enforce CMM's and combat IUU fishing activities in Samoa and neighboring member countries EEZ.

Table 15: Number of Multi-lateral Surveillance Operations for FY 2012-2013

Participating Operation Patrol Dates OP Area Asset Samoa EEZ, A. Operation Kurukuru 1 USCG KUKUI 05 – 13 Nov 2012 Samoa EEZ, Tonga (Nov2012) EEZ Operation Tuimoana 2 SPB NAFANUA 12 - 20 Jun 2013 Samoa EEZ, (Jun 2013)

10.3. Transshipment Operation: 35 Transshipment Operations of Frozen Tuna for Japan Markets were carried out at Samoa Port, licensed to fish in Cook Islands EEZ. A total of 2,746,355 kg of Tuna catch was loaded for Japanese Markets. A Fee applied on Foreign Fishing Vessels transshipment produced a Fisheries revenue of $31,747.45 SAT.

11. Regulation and Fishing License Enforcement: A total of 255 enforcement and monitoring surveys of size fisheries regulation were conducted in this fiscal year. There were 44 investigations, 60% of offences caught were of undersized fish, 2% were undersized crabs, 17% undersized lobsters, 4% of sea cucumber fishing, and 10% of unlicensed fishing vessels. From investigation, 18 fisheries violation cases were filed for prosecution, whereby results of court cases will to be reported in next fiscal year.

11.1. Vessel Monitoring System: The Daily monitoring service on VMS has expanded this year with the inclusion of 13 local licensed long- liners (Class C - E) on VMS. The VMS improved the monitoring of licensed fleets fishing grounds and all registered foreign fishing vessel activities on Samoa fishery waters (EEZ) in deterring noncompliance to conditions of license and deterring IUU activities from Foreign fishing vessels. VMS has also validated 12 fishing days by licensed US Purse Seiners in Samoa fishery waters; data is to be verified on fishing log-sheet data. Fisheries Division notes the measured progress work on boundary delimitation issue with adjacent member states to be sorted with our national negotiation committee, as implementation of VMS in Samoa waters is lenient on indicative EEZ coordinates of boundary.

11.2. Fish Export Certificates: A total of 384 export certificates were issued for fish products exported overseas. 68 certificates were issued for Large Commercial fish exports, 19 certificates were issued for Small fish exports. Fish as Faaoso or for family consumption abroad issued 268 Certificates of clearance and approval from the Fisheries Division. Total revenue of $2,279.00 SAT was collected from certification of fish export consignment.

9.3 Fish Processing Establishment Periodic Auditing: Fisheries Sea Food Safety Body in collaboration completed 4 audits for the 2012 – 2013 year have been achieved for the 2 main Fish Processing Plants – Tradewinds and AEFP Co Ltd, in certain of abiding HACCP standards of processing and exportation of Fish products. 19 packing inspections were completed by Fisheries SFB during packing of Fish by the two Establishments for verification of fish quantity in export consignment papers.