Aquaculture Management and Development Plan 2013 - 2018.

The Aquaculture Management and Development Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Plan is 5 years between 2013 and 2018. The overall goal of this Plan is sustainable and responsible development and management of the aquaculture sector to ensure food and nutritional security and improve rural and urban livelihoods. The objectives of this Plan are: (i) to promote better aquaculture management practices, (ii) to improve marketability of aquaculture products in Samoa, (iii) to diversify the number of aquatic species that can be cultured in Samoa, (iv) to improve quality and availability of lower-cost feeds for aquaculture, (v) to ensure access by farmers to the best possible genetic quality of seed stocks, (vi) to promote private sector development, (vii) to improve human resource capacities to manage and develop aquaculture, and (viii) to improve aquaculture networking.
The aquaculture sector will be developed to help ensure food security with a special emphasis on rural and isolated communities.
Rural livelihoods will be improved through responsible and sustainable aquaculture sector. The inshore fisheries will be promoted to provide income generating opportunity for rural fishing communities.
The commercial potential of the aquaculture sector will be improved by developing commercial aquaculture farms, establishing multi-species hatcheries, increasing the number of species being farmed, identifying species with high commercial potential, providing support to community development and management initiatives, enhancing the skills and knowledge of all those involved in the sector, and researching and promoting ways to add value to existing products. Assistance will be provided to producers to comply with requirements for local and export markets. To this end, local and export markets will be assessed regularly. Best management practices will be promoted to improve the current status of the aquaculture sector. Import risk analysis will be conducted to introduce aquatic species. Seed production for aquaculture and coastal fisheries restocking will be initiated. Access by farmers to the best possible genetic quality of seed stocks will be ensured. The brood-stock management will be developed to maintain genetic quality. Moreover, a proper feed storage unit will be established to provide available lower-cost feeds for aquaculture. Private sector development will be promoted by reviewing potential incentives to encourage investment in aquaculture. Furthermore, hands-on training opportunities for private sector will be promoted for top priority commodities. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced in accordance with the training needs analysis for aquaculture staff. National level networks such as Samoa Aquaculture Farmers Association, will be facilitated to strengthen farmers through exchange and collaboration. Moreover, regional and international networks will be maintained to provide research, training and technical advice.