CHINA – PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES FISHERIES FORUM SESSION 1: “COOPERATION PROMOTION”
TIME & DATE- 1.55 – 3.40 pm, 8th December 2021.
Vice Minister Ma Youxiang
Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries
Distinguished Delegates
It gives me great pleasure to be part of this important session focusing on fisheries cooperation and development, under the theme of “Opening up New Prospects for Fisheries Cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and Pacific Island countries”.
The importance of the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector cannot be over- emphasized. Fish continues to be one of the most traded food commodities, and for Samoa, fisheries exports account for a significant value of our traded commodities. The sector is key for employment opportunities, performs an irreplaceable role in our food and nutritional security and important to people’s livelihoods.
There is pressure on coastal fisheries resources due to destructive fishing practices, and highly efficient fishing technology has led to reduced supply. To a lesser extent, cyclones and other natural disasters have also contributed to damage of natural resource habitats. Climate change is also impacting on our coastal and near-shore fisheries resources.
I wish to recall our Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of the ocean and its resources contained in their Ocean Statement 2020/21.
In particular, Samoa remains committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and viability of our Blue Pacific’s fisheries resources currently being compromised by IUU fishing, climate change, marine plastic pollutions, oil spills and discharge of waste amongst others. As we well know, the use of plastic in many sectors necessitates an international global agreement to address marine litter and plastic pollution, and we reaffirm our support for the Pacific Regional Declaration on the Prevention of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution and its Impacts. I look forward to working closely with all our Pacific governments and China to responsibly and effectively manage our Blue Pacific Ocean and its fisheries.
Samoa has great potential for aquaculture development, however investment and assistance is needed in this area. We see opportunities in collaboration with China to develop our aquaculture sector in a sustainable manner.
Aquaculture is an important alternative protein source for our people as well as crucial support to our fisheries management strategies and provides adaptation to climate change. Under such cooperation we could see;
• A well-established Aquaculture Research and Development Center providing tools and services including research and training for farmers and fishers
• Improved hatchery facilities to enhance nursery productions of both freshwater and mari-culture of potential commodities;
• Provide aquaculture experts to work and train our local fisheries staff; and,
• Increase aquaculture production and marketing potential in Samoa including scoping for commercialisation
Samoa offers potential as a regional hub for the fishing industry given also its central location.
With cooperation for investment, we may be able to establish an on-shore processing facility for fish products to overseas markets and to be located closely to ports such as that on the western side of Savaii.
Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and China’s General Administration of Customs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019 on inspection, quarantine and veterinary sanitary requirements for wild marine fishing aquatic products to be exported from Samoa to China. With the establishment now of Samoa’s Seafood Safety and Verification Unit, or Competent Authority, we would like to explore potential investment and development opportunities that would facilitate access for our fish and fishery products to China under the 2019 MOU between our Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China.
With today’s technological advancements and improved research capabilities in the field of aquaculture, there is potential for Samoa to increase its fisheries production. We look forward to working closely with China in developing specific capacity building and training opportunities in aquaculture and other areas of fisheries to ensure sustainable and quality development of our fishery sector. Continued and deepened engagement and partnerships would be particularly important in our efforts to build back better post-COVID-19.
Thank you for your attention and God bless!
