Institute for Research, Extension & Training in ...

SPAN Vol. 40, No. 1 January 2015 ISSN 1015 - 950

Span

South Pacific Agricultural News—Institute for Research, Extension & Training in Agriculture

IRETA

World’s oceans rising far faster than the past

The study found that for much of the 20th century - until about 1990 - sea level was about 30 percent less than earlier research had figured. But that's not good news, scientists say, because about 25 years ago the seas started rising faster and the acceleration in 1990 turns out to be more dramatic than previ-ously calculated. The current sea level rise rate - which started in 1990 - is 2.5 times faster than it was from 1900 to 1990, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. Scientists say that faster pace of sea level rise is from melting ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica and shrinking glaciers, triggered by man-made global warming. "We're seeing a significant acceleration in the past few decades," said study lead au-thor Carling Hay, a geophysical researcher at Harvard University. Previous research found that between 1900 and 1990, the seas rose about 2cm a dec-ade. The new study recalculates the 1900-1990 rates to less than 1.3cm a decade. Old and new research both say that since 1990, seas are rising about 3cm a decade. While hundreds of tide gauges around the world have been measuring sea levels since 1900, they have mostly been in Europe and North America with few in the polar re-gions or the middle of the oceans, Hay said. So past estimates of 20th century sea level rise gave an incomplete picture of the global effect, said study co-author Jerry Mitrovica, a geophysics professor at Harvard. The new method uses statistical analysis and computer models to better simulate the areas in the gap, Mitrovica said. Outside scientists praised the new study, but were still cautious about adopting the estimates until more studies could be done. "The implications are troubling - accelerated ocean warming, ice sheet collapse and sea level rise - all point to more and more sea level rise in the future, perhaps at a faster rate than previously thought," said Jonathan Overpeck, co-director of the Insti-tute of the Environment at the University of Arizona. "This will make adaptation to climate change more difficult and costly." (Samoa Ob-server)

T he world’s oceans are now rising far faster

than they did in the past, a new study

says.

Message to Staff and Students ...p2

The Head of School Report ...p3

Farm grant employs voucher system and

European Union helps fund Vanuatu

project ...p6

I was born to be a shepherd and Fiji prob-

lems opens door for Samoan talo ...p4

Focus on organic farming ...p.3

Export to New Zealand soar ...p5

Carrots potential for Samoa

and Cane variety vital ...p7

US firms teams up with Pacific

fish body ...p8

Coconuts again threatened by beetles ...p9

Fish preparation and $200m

from sugar ...p10

Quality dairy and Workshop to improve fisheries business ...p11

Samoa stands up for her albacore indus-

try ...p12

Editor in Chief : Mohammed Umar Publications Officer : Dolly Autufuga Email : [email protected]

2

Message to Staff and Students

I am pleased to extend a very warm welcome to Professor Richard Coll who

has joined the University today as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Learning,

Teaching and Student Services.

It goes to show that the negative impacts have a hit and continue to affect agricul-

ture. This also points out how the sector can lift its performance and incentives

that will help that happen.

In welcoming Professor Coll, the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rajesh Chandra, said that he was very pleased that Professor Coll had joined the Univer-sity. “I am confident that Professor Coll’s impressive track record and qualifications will stand him in good stead in guiding the University through the challenge of trans-forming Learning, Teaching and Student Services from Good to Excellent,” said Professor Chandra. Professor Coll is a Specialist Researcher in Science Education, and Cooperative (work- based) Education and holder of two doctoral degrees including a PhD in Chemistry and an EdD in Science Education. His research experience has included tech-nology education, education and informal or ‘free-choice’ learning. His extensive international collaborative research experi-ence has won him international awards for research in Cooperative Education. Amongst some of Professor Coll’s achievements are visiting scholar, University of Cambridge, Fulbright Alumnus, editorial board member for numerous international journals, thesis examiner and consultant, plenary speaker at conferences and in-vited speaker for the National Science Foundation (NSF), Gold Standard Quality Research in Science Literacy, Chief Editor of International Handbook (2 editions) for Cooperative Education and recipient of numerous externally-funded research con-tracts, extensive university teaching experience in science, science education and education, including undergraduate, mas-ters and taught doctorates in education, experience in teaching of educational methodologies including both quantitative and qualitative means of inquiry, experience in teaching by distance education and e-learning including the use of educational technologies, extensive experience in graduate supervision (over 30 higher degree completions), extensive administrative and leadership experience at departmental, school and university levels, including strategic planning, and development of busi-ness plans and member of numerous professional organisations in science education and science. As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Learning, Teaching and Student Services, Professor Coll will have under his charge the follow-ing sections:

Student Administrative Services (SAS)

Centre for Flexible Learning (CFL)

College of Foundation Studies (CFS)

Campus Life (CL)

Pacific TAFE

Professor Coll has expressed his pleasure at returning to USP, where he began his academic career as a lecturer in the De-partment of Chemistry and is delighted to be accompanied by his wife Sandhya Devi, a local who hails from Taveuni. “I am delighted to be part of USP’s journey from Good to Excellent and look forward to working with all staff of USP in striv-ing to enhance the learning experience of our students, and to fulfil the goals of the USP Strategic Plan. I cannot succeed in this important role without the support of all staff, and would welcome your input and support,” expressed Professor Coll. I look forward to working closely with DVC Coll as he takes charge of this vital portfolio and leads the transformation of our learning and teaching from good to excellent. Please extend Professor Coll your full support and co-operation. We once again warmly welcome him to the USP community and wish him well in his transformative work. Professor Coll’s immediate past position was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji. I also take this opportunity to thank DVC Research and International, Professor John Bythell for having carried the extra re-sponsibilities for Learning and Teaching during the vacancy period.

South Pacific Agricultural News Jan 2015

Welcome to Professor Richard Coll, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Learning, Teaching

and Student Services

The Head of School Report

3

Focus on organic farming

A group of EIGHT farmers have been taught natural farming techniques in order to promote organic

farming and sustainable agricultural methods.

The farmers were trained in India after a selection process was conducted by the Foundation for Rural Inte-grated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND). They learnt to collect rain water to use on farms and turning bar-ren lands into farms and orchards using organic manures. FRIEND founder and director Sashi Kiran said they wanted to pro-mote organic farming as opposed to the use of chemical inputs. "This will help in pest and weed control and increase yields," Ms Kiran said. "While organically-grown produce is better for health, it is also a more sustainable way of farming and better for the environment." The farmers visited Indian farms and facilities that incorporated organic practices in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. (Shayal Devi, Fiji Times Online)


Students of Sigatoka Methodist Primary

School

Dear SPAN readers, 2014 was very a successful year for South Pacific Agriculture News (SPAN) filled with development, research and success stories covering the Pacific Region. I thank all the SPAN readers who made positive com-ments and those who contributed articles to the SPAN. For 2015, we will continue to maintain our comprehensive coverage of stories in agriculture that is useful to growers, ex-porters, processors, students, researchers and other agriculture stakeholders. I look forward to your continued support and contributions to make this monthly news-letter both topical and relevant for read-ers and the Pacific region. The USP places very high priority in areas such as learning & teaching, student sup-port services, research and others. Some specific advice/tips for our student read-ers of SPAN:

G Tips!

I wish all SPAN readers a rewarding and thriving 2015.

Asst. Prof. Mohammed Umar Head of School & Director IRETA

Students should take maximum advantage and bene-

fit from these University support

Students must attend all lectures

Attempt assignments and submit them on time

Attend lab sessions and tutorial sessions

Seek guidance from course coordinators, mentors,

student learning support and Student Administrative

Services

This will enable

you as students to

succeed in your

academic endeav-

ours!

South Pacific Agricultural News Jan 2015 4

Women can do all things.

And a woman shepherd form Sapapali’i Savai’i, Pipili Papali’i, is living proof of that. She was among farmers in

Savai’i last weekend during the celebration of World Food Day. For Mrs. Papali’i, her interest in raising sheep has

evolved from a hobby to a full time job. “It’s the best move I’ve made in years,” she says. “I should have done

this a long time ago.”

“It’s just a joy to be with my sheep everyday ...they are like children to me and I love them so much.”

“I just wanted to give it a try. From that time until now, I have fourteen of them altogether. I’m really pleased

about the progress and it is great to have this new kind of farming in Savai’i.

“People call me everyday wanting to buy sheep for feasts or fa’alavelave but I refuse. I still want to keep them

alive and I also tell them ‘no’ as I want to increase my herd.”

Mrs Papali’i also knows there is “a huge demand for local sheep.”

“No matter how old I am, but I was born to be a sheep farmer.”

The second shipment of 130 sheep arrived from Fiji last week. The ship-

ment is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s ‘Samoa Agriculture Competi-

tiveness Enhancement Project’. S.A.C.E.P. is a combined support scheme

by the World Bank and the Samoan government.

Its objective is to encourage livestock producers to; upgrade livestock,

improve husbandry practices, stock management and improve the quality

of meat sold in the local market. (Ilia L. Likou, Samoa Observer)

I was born to be a shepherd

Fiji problems opens door for Samoan talo

Trouble has struck Fiji’s Taveuni Island – a major source of

Fijian talo exports.

According to our Agricultural ministry, unsustainable farming there has

rendered much of Taveuni’s soils exhausted and fallow.

“And two things immediately happened,” said Misa Konelio,

ACEO of the Nu’u Crops station.

“The demand for Samoan talo exports immediately went up

and so is the export price of talo.”

In the last few weeks, Samoa’s talo exports have increased

to four 30-foot containers per week, from the previous two. Meanwhile, prices have risen from $34 to $38 per 20

kilogram bag.

“We have four exporters right now and hopefully more will come onboard. More exporters mean more competi-

tive prices which will be good for the farmers.”

And a growing concern with the ministry at the moment, he pointed out, is securing a steady supply of taro.

“Especially, as the local market has been very good for farmers the last few weeks.”

Misa said the ministry is launching a promotion this week – coinciding with the Agriculture Show programme in

Savai’i – to urge farmers to continue to plant and grow talo in both Upolu and Savai’i.

“What we have been told is that Taveuni will not recover within the next 12 months. That is our window of op-

portunity.” (Tupuola Terry Tavita, Savali News)

IN DEMAND: Talo being prepared at

Nu’u

South Pacific Agricultural News Jan 2015 5

R evenues from exports to New Zealand have more than doubled.

And the increase is attributed to the Buy Samoa Made – trade mission to that country since 2013.

Organised by the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters, (SAME) and government, trade exhi-

bitions to New Zealand have since secured new markets for many of the country’s new export commodities, rang-

ing from beer to coconut based products, palusami and talo.

“Based on data from the Central Banks,” says SAME President Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, “revenues from exports to

New Zealand have increased from $2.9 million in 2013 to $8.5 million in 2014.”

“Talo is the biggest export earner accounting for 42% of the increase or $4 million tala from $1.7 million tala.

“Beer exports soared to 41% showing an increase from $1.1 million tala in 2013 to $3.4 million tala the following

year.

“While after debuting in the New Zealand market, coconut cream and Samoa’s palusami combined, collected over

$700,000 tala in revenues.”

The Buy Samoa New Zealand’s target was to increase ex-

ports to 25% per annum over the next 3 years (2014 to

2016).

But Tagaloa noted that the data reaffirms that exports

have increased by two fold or 280%.

“Mission accomplished but there is always room for im-

provements,” said Tagaloa.

“SAME would not have realised its targets to boost export

revenues if it was not for the support by the Prime Minis-

ter and Deputy Prime Minister.”

“Our leaders have supported our cause from the

start.”

To maintain the momentum on the resounding success

of the Buy Samoa Made – New Zealand Export Drive –

SAME and the Government will be launching a similar

drive in Australia next March.

Preparations are underway for the trade promotional

mission and the establishment of an exhibition centre

for Samoa Goods & Services – at the Samoa Consular

Office in Liverpool, Sydney. (Nanai Laveitiga

Tuiletufuga, Savali News)

Exports to New Zealand soar

SAME members in Auckland last year for their Trade

Mission

“SAME would not have realised its targets to

boost export revenues if it was not for the sup-

port from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime

Minister,” SAME President Tagaloa Eddie Wilson

6

Over one hundred farmers have benefited from the World Bank –

funded electronic vouchers program.

And 200 more requests are being processed.

In the wake of Cyclone Evan, the World Bank allocated US$5 mil-

lion ($10.8 million tala) to finance the assistance vouchers for

cyclone – affected farmers and fishers. But there was a hick-up,

according to Agriculture Minister Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati

Mualia.

“The biggest obstacles were the farmers themselves,” said the

minister.

“Under the scheme, farmers are obligated to loan, at low inter-

est, 30 percent of the principal grant from the Samoa Develop-

ment Bank, guaranteed by the Ministry. However, instead of paying the 30%, the funds were spent on fa’alave-

lave and non farming purposes.”

“What was needed was a voucher system with the retailers so the funds can go directly to funding farm equip-

ment and other needs”. And until the recipients fulfil their end, they will not receive a sene.”

Under the scheme, Le Mamea said that the farmers will be issued with an electronic voucher which can be re-

deemed at some designated suppliers in the country.

“These vouchers enable farmers to purchase farm and fishing equipment. The vouchers give the farmers a cer-

tain amount of flexibility in deciding what they will buy and to meet their specific needs.”

“At the end of the day, the farmers and fishers must take some responsibility.”

“And if they want to benefit from the e-voucher assistance, they must do their part.” (Nanai Laveitiga


European Union helps fund Vanuatu project

The European Union will help fund three commodities which government has identified within the productive sector.

The department is working to “launch” them this year said Radio Vanuatu News this morning: cattle, copra, fruit

and vegetable production will be EU assisted.

Firstly, beef (cattle) production will be lifted in six provinces which will receive a hundred cattle every three

months.

The Livestock Department has been in discussion with a commercial farmer to provide this stock and the project

will be tested firstly with Paama this year.

It is said, this will be a trial for the European Development Fund project to start in 2015.

Pasture improvement will also be involved to increase productivity.

Erromango, Epi, Malekula and Santo are islands to benefit.

Discussions have progressed with a landowner to provide over 4,000 hectares to develop a joint venture trial.

In addition, the VNPF has agreed to ship 100 cattle to Tanna to meet supply, presently insufficient there, VBTC

added. (Bob Makin, Vanuatu daily news digest online)

Farm grant employs voucher system


Agriculture Minister Le Mamea Tuiletufuga

Mualia (far right).

7

Carrots potential for Samoa

Four different types of carrots can be grown in Samoa.

And during a tasting session at the Nu’u Crop Station,

the Ministry of Agriculture’s Assistant C.E.O. of Crops

Division, Misa Konelio Misa, said it’s only the beginning

of a long-term process, where the carrots would eventu-

ally be given to farmers for commercial growing.

“There is no question about it,” he said, “carrots can

grow in Samoa but there is more that needs to be done”.

At the tasting session, A.C.E.O. Misa was accompanied

by his staff. Most of them gave the thumbs up, saying the carrots don’t

taste much different from the ones that are already available.

“We also want to give it out to the farmers for free...only for the first

time,” said Misa.

“For the long run, we are also looking at selling it so that we could have

more for the future”.

Misa is confident that the availability of carrots can only help Samoa.

“Normally the carrots grow for six months before harvesting,” he said.

“But what we’ve seen in this trial is that, the carrots were planted for

three months and they are ready.

“So that is very exciting news for us”. (Ilia L. Likou, Samoa Observer

Online)

SUGARCANE growers are being urged to embrace the cane quality payment system that will come online this season by planting the three required varieties of cane. Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman Abdul Khan said the onus was on farmers to embrace new cane va-rieties to optimise what they will receive for their cane. "It is really up to the farmers because if they plant the three varieties of cane that have been suggested — early, mid and late maturing — then they will increase their ability to earn more for their cane. "If they opt to remain with one variety, like Mana for example, then they will receive less because Mana is a late maturing cane." Mr Khan said in light of global price volatility and the impact of this on the industry, it was imperative that growers embraced new varieties and the new payment system. "At the end of the day it is the quality of the cane and our ability to convert it into a sellable product is where our revenue comes from." Sugar Cane Growers Council CEO Sundresh Chetty said majority of farmers wanted to see the cane quality sys-tem in operation before making a decision on cane varieties. (Felix Chaudhary, Fiji Times Online)

Cane variety vital


Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Crop

Division

Carrot tasting session

8

US firm teams up with Pacific fish body

A United States based tuna vessel management company has partnered with Parties to the Nauru Agreement (P.N.A), to supply tuna that meets Marine Stewardship Council (M.S.C) standards. The understanding (M.O.U) to do that was signed between the South Pacific Tuna Corporation (S.P.T.C) and P.N.A.O/Pacifical, the marketing arm of P.N.A. M.S.C standards are considered the most stringent of the cur-rent managed sustainability programmes. This action underscores South Pacific Tuna Corporation’s commitment to maintaining the highest sustainability standards while harvesting tuna from P.N.A island waters. S.P.T.C executive director and Global Fleets partner J. Douglas Hines said: “The Global Fleets have long-embraced sustainable fishing practices in action, rather than just theory. “This M.O.U makes us the first among the US Distant Water Tuna Fleet to make a public commitment to sus-tainable fishing practices as certified by the Marine Stewardship Council – including effective management and minimal environmental impact. It is not only a commitment to the P.N.A Countries, but to their customers and consumers throughout the world. This is truly a first step in creating an Ocean to Table project.” “The U.S Fleet is considered a Global leader in promoting environmental standards with strict adherence to regulations,” Hines said. P.N.A fisheries commercial manager Maurice Brownjohn said: “As world leaders in tuna conservation and man-agement, this is a great development. We look forward to working closely with The Global Fleets in promoting tuna that is sustainably harvested in our waters to ensure that we will have a continued supply for future gen-erations.” Meanwhile, there are now 295 vessels -- in addition to the majority of fishing boats from the Philippines, Tai-wan and China -- that have joined the Marine Stewardship Council’s (M.S.C) certification process for the Par-ties of the Nauru (P.N.A) agreement tuna fishery. “This is consumer and market-driven,” Brownjohn said. “Retailers and consumers are very mindful of sustain-ability of the resources and this is why companies are looking towards M.S.C as being the gold standard for such practices.” The P.N.A controls the largest sustain-able tuna purse seine fishery in the world. Korean and Japanese fleets are also expected to sign up to the M.S.C certification process as well, according to Brownjohn. The South Pacific Tuna Corporation, which has 14 boats in P.N.A waters, went public with its recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with PNA’s marketing arm to seek the certifi-cation last week, and Tri Marine also recently announced it is seeking MSC certification for tuna caught in the Western and Central Pacific. Brownjohn says there has been a signifi-cant ramp up in interest in recent months as companies better understand the world recognized MSC ecolabel. (Samoa Observer Online)


The action underscores South Pacific Tuna Corporations com-mitment to maintaining the highest sustainability standards

while harvesting tuna from P.N.A island waters

9

Coconuts again threatened by beetles

Samoa’s coconut trees are again under attack by a plague of

beetles, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (M.A.F.) has

confirmed.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, M.A.F. C.E.O. Fonoiava

Seali’itu Sesega said while the Oryctes Rhinoceros, of the Co-

conut Rhinoceros Beetle, was a problem country-wide, there

are “certain areas where the situation is more acute. It’s af-

fecting the whole country,” he said.

“The beetle is a beetle. They fly around randomly and they

attack anything that they come across.”

Fonoiava said however, that the Ministry was working at elimi-

nating the beetle through programs being implemented. “I say

to farmers to take preventive measures by removing breeding

sites,” the C.E.O. said.

“Beetles breed on rotten or decaying wood so we have been advising the farmers to burn the wood so they

can get rid of the breeding sites first.”

“And at the Ministry, we are laying our traps to catch the beetles and inject them with a biological controlled

disease.”

While the beetle is not a new threat – it was accidently introduced into Samoa in 1909 – this does not down

play the severity of the issue faced by farmers. In 2009, the Secretariat of the South Pacific’s Land Resources

News says the beetle was a problem for Samoa then.

“Samoan entomologist Fuifatu Billy Enosa reported on bio-control work carried out at Nu’u Research Station,”

the publication reads.

“The rhinoceros beetle is still a major pest of coco-

nut in Samoa.”

“He reported that a resurgence of rhinoceros beetle

damage in recent years has prompted scientists at

Nu’u to increase their efforts to control the damag-

ing nocturnal pest.”

According to the College of Tropical Agriculture and

Human Resources from Hawaii, the damage caused

by the pest is extensive, with adults destroying

palms by boring into the centre of the crown where

they injure the young, growing tissues and feed on

the exuded sap.

“As they bore into the crown, they cut through the

developing leaves,” the colleague says. “When the

leaves grow out and unfold the damage appears as V-shaped cuts in the fronds of holes through the midrib.”

For this reason S.P.C. supports the advice Fonoiava offered, saying clearing breeding sites such as rotting logs

and debris remains the most effective control measure for rhinoceros beetle.

“These plantation hygiene measures are in addition to work involving trapping and baiting of adult beetles,”

reports in the Land Resources News. (Brenden Kim Quintos, Samoa Observer Online)

M.A.F. C.E.O. Fonoiava Seali’itu Sesega


UNDER ATTACK: Feeding damage from adult coconut

rhinoceros beetle. Photo by Ernie Nelson (Courtesy of

Greenscanes. Inc.)/Scientific American.

$200m from sugar

10

Fish preparation

KNOWING the importance of handling fish or good manufacturing practices is an area fishermen and fish ven-dors must know. University of the South Pacific's food scientist Doctor Jima Lako stressed this point at the closing of the post-harvest fisheries training session at Nabukadogo Village in Macuata.

"If we know we are sick, we should not handle fish and even if we have a disease, fish should never be handled by us," Dr Lako said. "If there is a group or association of fishermen or fish vendors, then I suggest they have a supervisor or a committee that will organise similar workshops for their members. "It is very important for us to know this because we don't want to sell bad fish to our customers." Dr Lako said a visit to the Labasa fish market by the workshop participants was a bonus because it helped them know the difference in the conditions of fish. "So by assessing their current practices, we will be able to see what the good practices are and what the bad practices are. "So we will make sure they eliminate the bad practices and improve and continue to improve until they comply with the standards and the requirements that are needed." (Serafina Silaitoga, Fiji Times Online)

ABOUT $200million in foreign exchange earnings has been derived from the sale of 226,300 tonnes of raw sugar from the 2014 season, says Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman Abdul Khan. "This is an exceptional result when you take into consideration some of the challenges we had in terms of labour, transport and weather," he said. "We have sold all of our sugar to Tate & Lyle Sugars in the United Kingdom and we have two more shipments in bulk which will be leaving our shores in May and June this year." Mr Khan said as the industry prepared for the end of preferential quota access into the Euro-pean Union from 2017, efforts to establish other lucrative markets for the sweetener would continue. The FSC head said although it was early days, the tentative start-of-crush dates for all four mills has been pegged for June. (Felix Chaudhary, Fiji Times Online)


Selling fish at the Labasa Fish Market

11

Quality dairy

Workshop to improve fisheries business


FIJI is capable of producing quality dairy products, says International Agricultural Development Consultant (NZ) Mel Eden. Mr Eden said the rising demand for dairy products in the country indicated the local dairy industry had the potential to improve the livelihoods of Fijians along the supply value chain. In their meeting with AgResearch Ltd this week, he said they were able to identify key issues that needed to be addressed and that would help them work towards a com-mon vision for the industry. "We have also been making farm visits as the initiative also aims to lift the income of dairy farmers through sustainable improvements to technical and business practises. Director Animal Health and Production Tomasi Tunabuna said they were looking into strengthening dairy advisers through training and exposure through work. "The ministry will be working with other stakeholders to strengthen the dairy sector, improve farmers' in-comes and the public health by providing advisory and funding components for breeding, infrastructure and diseases," Mr Tunabuna said in a statement. Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL) CEO Sachida Nand said efficiency on dairy farms needed to be improved. He said the milk industry was producing 4.5 to 5 litres of milk per cow a day from the main suppliers combing the Naitasiri, Tailevu and Rewa districts. (Atasa Moceituba, Fiji Times Online)

ENTREPRENEURS working in the Pacific fisheries sector can expand their business thanks to a new global initiative. Fish 2.0, launched globally earlier this month, is a business competition that will allow in-vestors to connect with seafood businesses. In turn, the competition will also reap benefits for investors, giving them an opportunity to win more than $180,000 in prizes. Backed by a range of international foundations, Fish 2.0 and World Wildlife Fund Pacific will be holding a workshop for interested businesses from March 10 to 12 this year in Nadi. "The workshop is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and existing businesses in the seafood, aquaculture and mariculture sector in the Pacific to improve on their business and help them connect with investors interested in investing in the region," said WWF Pacific conservation director Sally Bailey. "We are calling on entrepreneurs in the seafood business in the Pacific to be part of the workshop and because of the limited number of seats available, it's a first come first serve opportunity and successful applicants will be provided travel stipends." (Shayal Devi, Fiji Times Online)

Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd CEO

Sachida Nand says efficiency on dairy farms

need improvement

12

Samoan stands up for her albacore industry

“Albacore fishery for Samoa is very crucial,” says Samoa’s Fisheries Division, Assistant Chief Executive

Joyce Samuelu Ah Leong.

“For Samoa alone, it’s not enough we have the smallest Economic Exclusive Zone but we also have a

unique domestic fishery which is not owned by corporate industries or fishing companies but owned by

rural families,” she said.

“So in terms of the deal we are already at a disadvantage.”

“It’s the main reason why Samoa is always at the forefront as we have

already seen a decline in our albacore fisheries.”

For Samoa, it exported some 2,000 tons of albacore mostly to American

Samoa last year generating $10 million tala in export revenues.

In the meantime, the Tokelau Arrangement is also the first of its kind en-

dorsed by seven Pacific island states. The signatories are: Australia, New

Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tokelau.

And “it’s a significant milestone,” added Ah Leong.

“The good thing is, if the com-

mission does not accept the proposal put forward, than we have

the Tokelau Arrangement to manage our albacore industry by our-

selves. “It’s a huge statement from the Pacific to actually say

that we know what’s happening, especially for Pacific Island

Countries, (like Samoa) with albacore industries.”

Throughout this week’s WCPFC negotiations, the Pacific islands

will argue their case, sitting across the table from China, Japan,

Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and members of the Euro-

pean Union, among others.

“United, we hold the balance of power in this fishery,” said Toke-

lau’s Minister of Fisheries Kuresa Nasau.

The majority of the south Pacific albacore catch is taken in our waters, and as coastal states we have a

vested interest in making sure that the stock is managed according to objectives that support our econo-

mies.

Right now, albacore is being fished according to an objective that only supports overcapitalized foreign

fishing fleets, particularly on the high seas.

Director General James Movick of the Forum Fisheries Agency said previous efforts to limit catches have

become ‘meaningless’, as the number of hooks being used by each vessel increases.

“By leading with the proposed measures in the Commission including for southern albacore, sharks, data

rules, port state measures and tropical tuna species, our members have learned from harsh experience

the need to assert Pacific interests as the owner-stakeholders above the interests of distant-water indus-

trial fishing fleets,” said Movick.

“We intend to make the Samoa WCPFC an unforgettable event, for all the right reasons.” (Nanai Laveitiga



Samoa’s ACEO of Fisheries

Joyce Samuelu Ah Leong

The local fish market in Apia

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