Samoa prioritizes monitoring, management of fish stocks & E-Zones at WCPFC meeting

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 12 August 2026: The Samoa mission statement at the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Scientific session in progress in Samoa, is monitoring and management of fish stocks.

Samoa’s representative at the meeting is the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of Fisheries Roseti Imo.

He said there are several issues pertaining to fish stocks and if not countries E-Zones are not properly monitored, only a few countries will benefit from it, hence agreements and partnerships between countries.

He confirmed that fish was the backbone of Samoa’s economy in the past, but it became difficult because of the cost of fuel and equipment.

The WCPFC meeting is not only to establish laws, share data and scientific knowledge and method in ensuring the supply remains.

The Prime Mnister and Cabinet Ministers and delegates attending the WCPFC in Samoa.

Enforcing surveillance on the Blue Pacific Ocean
Whilst Samoa hosted the WPCPF annual general meeting, this is the first time the Commission is hosted in Samoa and Imo said this is a chance for the Pacific countries to raise issues of concern.

Samoa is part of an operation mission with Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji monitoring the Blue Pacific not only from illegal fishing but also illegal drugs and trafficking.

Imo said Samoa is currently working on coordinating the deviation of E-Zone boundaries with Tonga, Niue, New Zealand, Wallis & Futuna and American Samoa.

“It is important to monitor and maintain the security of E-Zones,” he said.

The sharing of information at the meeting will also hear predictions from scientists of where the state of fish stock is.

He also said scientific data will show stock assessment of country fish stock such as how much catch per month or year, where the stock market is and what the Commission needs to know and advise on.

Imo said one of the focus areas at the discussion is the conservation and management measures to govern the fishery sector.

US Treaty Agreement
Samoa signed a treaty agreement with the United States where their fishing vessels are allowed to fish within Samoa’s E-Zone and Samoa receives $2.3 million.

“They fish, take the stock and pay us $2.3m,” said Imo.

Asked how often they can fish on Samoa E-Zone, Imo said anytime as long as they pay.

He also said these companies are well monitored by the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF) monitoring system.

He said Samoa used to have agreements with a company in Taiwan in the past.

He commended Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt not only for bringing the meeting in Samoa, but for being in the fore front of negotiating with international fishing companies for a reasonable amount paid to all 17 members of the Forum Fisheries Commission.

The meeting opened on Monday this week and is scheduled for two weeks.