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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Ensuring Samoas EEZ is free from destructive fishing through prohibition and regulation of fishing methods and gears

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Government
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#OceanAction41397
    Description
    Description
    The objective of the voluntary commitment is to minimize incidental catches of non-targeted species and to prohibit the use of destructive fishing methods.

    Samoa has enacted legislation that prohibits the use of destructive fishing methods including explosives, traditional fishing methods and driftnet fishing activities in Samoas fishery waters. This will ensure the preservation of marine habitats in Samoas fishery waters to support the population and recruitments of fisheries resources.

    Additionally, Samoa has implemented measures to minimize the incidental catch of non-targeted species in its commercial fishery so it would have a minimal impact on the wider ecosystem. This includes measures such as the use of circle hooks for the longline fishery to minimize incidental catches of sea turtles and the carrying of line cutters and dehooker devices to aid in the live release of sea turtles when incidentally caught. The use of wire as branch lines is also prohibited in the Samoan longline fishery. This will minimize incidental catches of sharks as sharks can bite its way off the monofilament but would not be possible when a wire is used.
    Partners
    Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (Other Intergovernmental Organisation)
    Pacific Community (Other Intergovernmental Organisation)

    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
    14.4 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
    14.7 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.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"
    Fisheries Management Act 2016 prohibits destructive fishing methods in Samoas fishery waters.
    - Samoas Tuna Management and Development Plan 2017 -2021 outline measures to minimize the incidental catches of non-targetedspecies in Samoas fishery waters.
    In-kind contribution
    Government funds fisheries staff that carried out the monitoring, control and surveillance of these measures in Samoas fishery waters.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 November 2016 (start date)
    01 December 2030 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Ministry of Agrciulture and Fisheries
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    Apia, SAMOA
    Other beneficiaries
    Those involved in marine eco-tourism, fishing nations and consumers of tuna and pelagic species.
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific, South Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy, 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, Ministry of Agricutlure and Fisheries