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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Enhancing management of Samoas fisheries through improved scientific information and knowledge

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Government
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    Description
    Description
    The objective of the voluntary commitment (data sharing and access and scientific cooperation) is to increase knowledge on stock status of highly migratory fish stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean for sound management decisions.

    Through this voluntary commitment, Samoa will work with the Pacific Community in extracting biological samples from tuna species harvested by fishing vessels operating in Samoas Exclusive Economic Zone. These biological samples will be analyzed by the Oceanic Fisheries Programme of the Pacific Community and the results will increase our knowledge on the movement of tuna species in the western and central Pacific Ocean. Additionally, the results will help us to understand further biological characteristics of tuna species that are very important for stock assessment work. Having this improved understanding is critical in addressing some uncertainties associated with assumptions in stock assessment models therefore producing more optimistic stock status results. This increases our confidence in our stock assessment work and would provide fewer incentives for fishing countries to delay management decisions on tuna stocks so they dont risk breaching their limit reference points.

    Through the western and central pacific fisheries commission, Samoa is submitting mandatory scientific data and fisheries information that goes into the science work of the commission. These scientific data and information are used in the stock assessment work that gives out stock status of tuna species and other by catch species in tuna fisheries such as sharks and broad-bill species. These scientific data and fisheries information are checked against agreed standards and are submitted using the commission data rules and procedures.
    Partners
    Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (Other Intergovernmental Organization)
    Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency members (Government)
    Pacific Community (Other Intergovernmental Organization)
    Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (Other Intergovernmental Organization)

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
    14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
    14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
    14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
    14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
    14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
    - Provision of scientific data and fisheries information (30th April every year)
    - Biological sampling of tuna species in Samoas EEZ (January 2015)
    - Annual Part one Report to the Commission (4th of July )
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Government funds staff that carried out the extraction of biological sampling, collection and processing of fisheries information and scientific data.
    Other, please specify
    The Pacific Community has been assisting the Samoa Government for the supply of the necessary material and equipments for the collection and processing of fisheries information and scientific data.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 January 2010 (start date)
    01 December 2030 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    Apia, SAMOA
    Other beneficiaries
    Other beneficiaries to this voluntary commitment includes academic institutions and other regional fisheries management organizations as they will learn from new developments in stock assessment models that address some uncertainties.
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific, South Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Ocean acidification, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology, Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
    Website/More information
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    Countries
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    Contact Information

    Magele Etuati Ropeti, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Fisheries Division, MAF