Palolo Harvesters Advised to Seek Prior Approval

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 5 October 2026 – The delicacy compared to caviar, rises in October and November and average catches were made in the weekend around Asau on Western end of Savaii Island with weak risings in other arts of Samoa suspected to be associated with the prevailing El Nino conditions.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has advised harvesters of the priced palolo worm, to prepare their buckets and scoops, reef boots and torches, while making sure they have any required approval before accessing harvesting areas.

As harvesters prepare for the November rising, MAF advises that “harvesting areas may require prior approval from the relevant authorities, village councils, or landowners. Harvesters are encouraged to check local requirements before accessing Palolo areas and to respect village rules, marine boundaries, and guidelines.”

The annual rising has been a cultural event where families from areas where the worm is harvested, connect relatives around the country with presents of the pouches of the prized worm. However, this tradition faded quickly over time and dominated by a cash economy pushing the price of the palolo worm sold in wrapped pouches and plastic containers, up to unrealistic prices.

The centuries old tradition found its significance in the Samoan traditional calendar with the month of October known as Palolomua – the first rising of the palolo, before the modern calendar was introduced with October as the tenth month of the year.

The Ministry of Fisheries predicts the next rising on 1 and 2 November.

The rising takes place in the early morning before dawn. It is closely linked to the lunar cycle and ocean tides, creating a short period when the Palolo’s reproductive segments, or gametes, rise to the ocean surface.

These gametes are what people traditionally collect and eat as a seasonal delicacy.