Credit: Samoa MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries)

Samoa advances coastal fisheries governance with legal training for sustainable marine resource management

AMERICAN SAMOA
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

In an important step towards sustainable coastal fisheries and aquaculture management, this week, 23 Samoan officials and 3 officials from American Samoa are receiving in-depth training to strengthen transparency, accountability, and equity in marine resource laws.

Funded principally by a public diplomacy grant from the U.S. Embassy in Samoa, this training is organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (UC Law SF). 

The training brings together key officials from MAF, the Attorney General’s Office, and the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources to address the complexities of drafting and implementing laws that protect Samoa's coastal ecosystems. This workshop highlights an innovative peer-to-peer learning approach within the Pacific, aiming to build resilient legal frameworks across borders. 

Dr Seuseu, Chief Executive Officer – MAF highlighted that, “Legislation is a powerful tool for change. It can shape behaviors, protect our marine and fisheries resources and ensure that future generations inherit a thriving ocean. Drafting effective laws requires more than just legal knowledge; it requires an understanding of our fisheries, our environment, our communities, and our economy”.

The workshop provides training on critical Samoan laws, such as the Fisheries Management Act 2016, fisheries regulations, and community-driven village fisheries bylaws. It also addresses broader issues of gender equity, social inclusion, and human rights within coastal communities that depend on marine resources. Participants are equipped with skills to ensure laws are clear and enforceable, fostering greater transparency and trust in governance.

The U.S Chargé d’Affaires explained why this matters: “By supporting this training, we are investing not only in local governance but also in the long-term health of marine ecosystems that are essential to livelihoods across the region. This collaboration not only strengthens the partnership between the United States and Samoa but also underscores our commitment to working with Pacific partners to create strong, transparent legal frameworks that support sustainable resource use and protect the unique biodiversity of these waters for generations to come”. 

This initiative builds on years of collaboration between SPC and UC Law SF, expanding on a regional course to deliver a "train-the-trainers" model specifically for Samoa. Through this training, MAF officials and officials from American Samoa are now empowered to independently support legislative improvements, creating a lasting impact on sustainable resource management.

Funding for the preparation of the training material and the delivery of the workshop was provided through a U.S. Embassy grant to UC Law SF, complemented by two SPC projects - PaFMaC and SCoFA – the first funded by USAID and the second by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Credit: Samoa MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries)

Why this legal training matters for coastal fisheries and aquaculture:

• It helps identify and prioritise key policy goals for sustainable coastal fisheries and aquaculture management.
• It explains how to recognise key features of legislation and gaps within current laws and regulations to better protect marine and fisheries resources.
• It improves understanding of the legal processes needed to change legislation at the national and local levels.
• It shows how to write clear laws that effectively support the implementation of policy objectives using gender-neutral language.
• It highlights the importance of human rights, gender equity, and social inclusion in coastal fisheries and aquaculture

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