Ministry ignores plight, report says

Samoa’s fishermen appear to have been ignored.

This is what a response to a Parliamentary select committee report has revealed.

In his reply to the Primary Production and Labour (P.P.L.) Committee’s report on its Annual Report for Financial Year ending June 30 2011, the Ministry’s C.E.O, Fonoiava Seali’itu Sesega failed to acknowledge the Committee’s recommendations regarding Samoa’s fishermen.

In his response on the recommendations made about the Fisheries division, Fonoiava only acknowledged the impact changes in the sector would have on the fish; despite the Committee raising direct concerns about they would have on the workers.

In his response Fonoiava reiterates a part of the advice offered up by the Committee.

“Review the legislation’s undertakings to open access of big foreign fishing vessels to fish in our waters, as this may exterminate fish species that are inhabitant in our waters,” he writes.

He then responds to only this part: “the Ministry is monitoring and assessing all of these, included preparation of legislation with terms and conditions for foreign fishing vessels to avoid fishing activities conducted in Samoa’s waters as this may exterminate fish species of our marine environment”.

However, while the P.P.L. Committee did raise concerns in its report about the damage to our fish stocks, they also very clearly voiced their concerns about the fishermen.

In their original report, that was published in the Samoa Observer earlier this year, it not only noted the plight of the fishermen, it did so about the fish.

“It was perceived that the majority of the public have steered this development in support with Samoa’s economy as well as serving the family, and the congregation,” the P.P.L. Committee report reads.

“It was observed, that this development is not easy and cheap but it is important, in that everyone benefits in any development, so that Samoa’s economy continues to grow.

“The fisheries development was under full support by the Apia Export Fish Packers (A.E.F.P.) Limited who exported fishes [sic] under request in preparation for ocean fishing when it was delayed and other setbacks.

“However, the Committee carefully noted, that this Company shall be closing due to [sic].

“It was confirmed by the Ministry of Ministry ignores plight, report says Agriculture, that an opportunity will be given to Fishing Companies from Taiwan who will initiate this service together with provisions as set out, ‘The Act will be amended to allow Fishing Companies to enter Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone within a radius of 25 miles’ The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries sees no reason as to why it is restricted, when fishes travel from one ocean to another.”

After noting this, the Committee cited its concerns.

“It would affect the living of local Fishermen, if the A.E.F.P. Ltd Company were to close,” the Committee’s report reads.

“Amending the Act that would allow large Fishing Vessels to fish in our Exclusive Economic Zone would only serve in diverging fishes and others that have lived in our oceans.

“Although the closing of this company is not official, the Committee believes that the Government should consider a way to assist in maintaining the living of numerous fishermen in the country.

“Especially since this Company has served the fishing development of Samoa, and has contributed to the country’s economy.

“Furthermore, companies who have played a part in Samoa‘s economy should receive assistance from the Government in times when it is in trouble and is in need of assistance.”

Fonoiava’s response is republished in full below:

14th August, 2014 Afioga Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt Speaker of the House, Parliamentary Committee

Re: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries responses to the advise from the Parliamentary Committee

Lau Afioga,

Pursuant to Standing Order 54 of the Legislative Assembly the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) provides responses accordingly to the advises given by the Parliamentary Committee during their meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry in April, 2004. We apologised for the delay in carrying out these activities accordingly.

Advices:

1) Establish a Market Access Division of the Ministry and employ market and trade specialists for operation of related issues to communicate and assist all farmers in development of their farms.

Response: This is one of the Ministry’s ongoing activities carried out through the review of its performance analysis with the Public Service Commission. Thus activity shows the Ministry’s enthusiasm to establish this Division to fulfil these vital duties including international market access and communication to support the farmers’ needs and preparations of agricultural products to meet the market requirements.

2) Compile annual reports in the future to include all revenues accounted for any agriculture development as these revenues indicated the great efforts of the Ministry’s initiatives.

Response: The Ministry is now working closely with the Samoa Bureau of Statistics in improving of data collection from farming and fishing activities to provide true estimates of agriculture and fisheries’ contributions to the GDP of Samoa annually.

The Ministry also seek assistance from any persons with expertise on reviewing the data requirements and activities prerequisite for data collection conducted.

3) There is an urgent need to bring into the country cattle and sheep shipments to satisfy the farmers needs awaiting the Ministry’s future programs in replacements of shipments from overseas.

Response: The Ministry in its ongoing activities will soon have another shipment of cattle from Australia funded by the SACEP.

4) Review the legislation’s undertakings to open access of big foreign fishing vessels to fish in our waters, as this may exterminate fish species that are inhabitant in our waters.

Response: The Ministry is monitoring and assessing all of these, included preparation of legislation with terms and conditions for foreign fishing vessels to avoid fishing activities conducted in Samoa’s waters as this may exterminate fish species of our marine environment.

5) The Government of Samoa gives fully support to the development programs of agriculture activities carried out by the Ministry.

Response: The Ministry appreciated with gratitude all the advices given by members of the Parliament to improve the services provided by the Ministry to serve the people of Samoa.

The Ministry once again was enchanting to the advices and challenges provided by the Committee to improve our services for Samoa through agriculture and fisheries.

Ma le faaaloalo lava,

Fonoiava Sealiitu Sesega
Chief Executive Officer

Copies: Afioga Le Mamea Ropati Mualia – Minister – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries