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.
Progress reports
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
Type of commitment
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
- Scientific research and cooperation to address ocean acidification knowledge gaps
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
Type of commitment
- Science-based fisheries management plans
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
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
Type of commitment
- No take marine protected area
- Marine protected area with partial protection
- Multiple use marine protected area
- Locally or community managed marine areas
- MPA management and/or enforcement
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
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
- Economic benefits from sustainable aquaculture/mariculture
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
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
- Actions that support SIDS and LDCs
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, 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
Type of commitment
- Ratification, accession and acceptance of UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments
- Activities to develop the capacity of States towards broader participation in and effective implementation of UNCLOS and its implementing Agreements
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
- Development of necessary infrastructure and/or enforcement capabilities to comply with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS and as complemented by other ocean-related instruments
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.
April 2017
