Decision support for coral reef fisheries management: Community input as a means of informing policy in American Samoa
Kilarski S, Klaus D, Lipscomb J, Matsoukas K, Newton R, Nugent A. 2006. Decision support for coral reef fisheries management: Community input as a means of informing policy in American Samoa. Project plan for American Samoa's Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. The Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. University of California, Santa Barbara
Fishing in American Samoa has historically been important for cultural and subsistence purposes. Recent studies of the territory, however, showed declines in both subsistence fishing activity and coral reef fish abundance (Coutures 2003, Green 2002). As the agency responsible for managing American Samoa’s fishery resources, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources employs several strategies to manage near shore fishing. A comprehensive near shore fishery management plan, however, has never been developed. To assist in developing and implementing new management techniques, this study uses socioeconomic data to examine three policy themes: 1) Regulations; 2) Fishery education; and 3) Geographic prioritization. To incorporate local input about the current usage of the fishery into our analysis, we developed a community survey to answer specific questions within each policy theme. Statistical methods, including regressions, t-tests, and chi squared analyses were used to analyze the survey results and provide managers with baseline data concerning future fishery management. Demographic and environmental characteristics were included to create a thorough representation of what is occurring in the fishery. Our results indicate that an increase in near shore fishery regulations will likely be accepted by the majority of American Samoans. Fishery education from media sources was found to be the most frequently received while also reaching the widest audience. Utilization of baseline information collected along with our developed geographic maps will provide resource managers with the means for developing future fishery management policies throughout the territory.