TRADE AND TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT

DIMENSIONS ON DIMENSIONS ON FRESH FISH SECTOR FRESH FISH SECTOR

IN SAMOAIN SAMOA

OutlineOutline

Background informationBackground information Quality Control ProgrammesQuality Control Programmes Seafood Export IndustrySeafood Export Industry Problems in the Fresh Fish SectorProblems in the Fresh Fish Sector Solutions Solutions

Background InformationBackground Information

Offshore commercial fisheries (dominated by the tuna Offshore commercial fisheries (dominated by the tuna longline industry) are Samoa’s largest export earner.longline industry) are Samoa’s largest export earner.

Markets: American Samoa (Frozen fish), USA, Hawaii, Markets: American Samoa (Frozen fish), USA, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand (Fresh Fish)Australia and New Zealand (Fresh Fish)

2001: exports increased by 14% to 5,150 tonnes overall2001: exports increased by 14% to 5,150 tonnes overall 937 tonnes of fresh chilled fish of overall 5150 tonnes were 937 tonnes of fresh chilled fish of overall 5150 tonnes were

exported to developing marketsexported to developing markets 2000: Over 104 tonnes of tuna from Samoa were rejected 2000: Over 104 tonnes of tuna from Samoa were rejected

by American Samoa resulting in a significant loss in by American Samoa resulting in a significant loss in overseas revenueoverseas revenue

This led to the development and implementation of food This led to the development and implementation of food safety and quality control programmessafety and quality control programmes

Quality Control ProgrammesQuality Control Programmes HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control

Point regulations to strengthen health and Point regulations to strengthen health and safety requirementssafety requirements

Each company designs own HACCP plan to Each company designs own HACCP plan to be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheriesand Fisheries

Development and Implementation of Development and Implementation of national seafood safety policies and national seafood safety policies and proceduresprocedures

Seafood safety management systemSeafood safety management system– Seafood safety councilSeafood safety council– Seafood safety verification bodySeafood safety verification body– Seafood export industry Seafood export industry

Seafood Export Industry Seafood Export Industry

Fish from Samoa are either exported Fish from Samoa are either exported frozen or fresh chilled to overseas frozen or fresh chilled to overseas markets.markets.

Table 1: Estimated amount of fish exports Table 1: Estimated amount of fish exports and rejects since 1996and rejects since 1996

Since the inception of the seafood safety Since the inception of the seafood safety verification system in January 2003 a verification system in January 2003 a marked improvement was observed in marked improvement was observed in each processing facility in applying each processing facility in applying seafood safety programmes.seafood safety programmes.

Table 1: Estimated Amount of Fish Exports Table 1: Estimated Amount of Fish Exports and Rejects Since 2001and Rejects Since 2001

20012001 20022002 20032003 20042004

Tonnage Tonnage exported exported (metric (metric tonne)tonne)

51505150 46334633 20582058 18721872

Tonnage Tonnage rejected rejected (metric (metric tonne)tonne)

109109 8585 -- --

Value Value (tala)(tala)

31,61431,614 33,11033,110 21,80621,806 13,64513,645

Problems in the Fresh Fish SectorProblems in the Fresh Fish Sector

Lack of facilities for testing fish for Lack of facilities for testing fish for acceptable mercury level;acceptable mercury level;

Lack of knowledge by the fishermen in Lack of knowledge by the fishermen in fish handling;fish handling;

Isolation from overseas markets;Isolation from overseas markets; Restricted air freight capacity;Restricted air freight capacity; Lack of capacity to implement safety Lack of capacity to implement safety

measures required by overseas measures required by overseas marketsmarkets

Low capacity to identify issues Low capacity to identify issues related to health;related to health;

Climatic changes for e.g El Nino;Climatic changes for e.g El Nino; Biological life span of fish which Biological life span of fish which

determines volume of export;determines volume of export; Smallest EEZ;Smallest EEZ; Over-harvest of fish;Over-harvest of fish;

SolutionsSolutions

Development of a seafood safety Development of a seafood safety management system encompassing management system encompassing international requirements;international requirements;

Establish appropriate infrastructure, Establish appropriate infrastructure, facilities and laboratories;facilities and laboratories;

Train local fishermen and staff in Train local fishermen and staff in implementing safety measures;implementing safety measures;

Fishing license is provided to local Fishing license is provided to local and domestic fisheries;and domestic fisheries;