A report on the market survey of reef and lagoon fish catches in Western Samoa
Helm N. 1992. A report on the market survey of reef and lagoon fish catches in Western Samoa. Pages 1-5. In Dalzell P: Papers on fisheries science from the Pacific islands, Volume 1. Noumea, New Caledonia. March 1988. South Pacific Commission. Noumea, New Caledonia
Statistics on the inshore fisheries production from Western Samoa have, in the past, been unreliable. Previous estimates of total landings range from 109 to 932 tonnes per annum. An initial program of statistical data collection at Apia Fish Market recorded sales of 247 tonnes and 175 tonnes in 1986 and 1987 respectively. Landings in both years were dominated by surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), parrotfishes (Scaridae) and emperors (Lethrinidae). The big-eye scad, Selar crumenophthalmus, formed an important component of the catch in 1986 but only made a minor contribution to landings in 1987. The factors that may influence variation in landed volume of the catch are discussed and the methods employed to collect these data are evaluated with respect to continued collection of landing statistics in Western Samoa.