FISHERIES PREDICT BETTER PALOLO RISING IN NOVEMBER
By: Asenati Taugasolo Semu
ACEO Fisheries Magele Etuati Ropeti is predicting a better palolo rising in November compared to last week.
“Our prediction is that there will be more palolo emergence in November than October,” said Magele.
“I can’t say if palolo emergence over the years has increased or decreased. We can’t compare but it’s only a matter of the number of people catching palolo in a particular area.
“The other important factor is the type of coral reefs in a particular area that can determine the production of more palolo and that’s why it’s important for us to take care of our coral reefs.
“My personal view is that, we can’t tell whether the palolo rising is more in Savaii than Upolu. “And yet we cannot tell where there’s a major palolo emergence.”
Magele said the message for everyone is to stop destroying our coral reefs.
“Which means it’s everyone’s responsibility to preserve and look after our coral reefs if we want to sustain the catching of palolo every year, and also to sustain our marine resources in the future.
“We should also educate our children about the importance of looking after our marine resources and ocean.
“We have the climate change issue at hand, and people should understand that the coral reefs need sunlight, clean water and clean sea water to live healthily.”
The traditional value of palolo to our people is another considerate factor according to Magele.
“Palolo rising is like hosting a royal guest every year and our local communities traditionally greeted the rising of the palolo with necklaces made from the fragrant moso’oi flowers or plants that are fruiting and flowering at the same time.
“It is a season of celebration and family get together sharing this God given gift to Samoa.”
But nowadays, Magele said the cash economy is slowly taking over the traditional and customary system, as with the selling of palolo.
For the current COVID 19 pandemic, Magele said our people have the ocean to depend on for food.
