Community-based fisheries management program in American Samoa

Sauafea-Ainu`u, Fatima

As the population in American Samoa has expanded, the demand for fishery resources has similarly increased. Fisherfolk have used effective but often destructive fishing methods, including the use of bleaching agents, dynamite, and avaniukini (a local plant-derived poison). In addition, outside fishermen, who were often reported to be from other Pacific Islands, have entered village reefs and used bleaching agents. There have also been various reports of fishing nets, which are left on the reef, eventually trapping and killing many marine species. From these identified problems and recommendations from village communities, which were obtained through carefully designed surveys, came the need to establish a program to improve fishing and marine resources in villages. The Community-based Fisheries Management Project assists villages in managing and conserving their inshore fishery resources by a voluntary scheme of co-management with the territory, which enhances ownership and stewardship by the village community. The project`s aim is to improve fishing and sustainable development of marine resources in participating villages as well as the territory. For this, the identification of village sites to establish traditionally oriented management regimes is featured in conjunction with well-developed village fisheries management plans. In addition, monitoring and regular reef checks by village communities and fisheries staff are conducted.

Community-based fisheries management program in American Samoa

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