According to the Pacific Magazine, Samoa is the first of FFA/SPC countries to undertake a consultative process to modernize their fisheries legislation with the assistance of FFA and SPC, working together for the first time to set a benchmark for fisheries law.
The news agency reports that last Thursday and Friday, staff and management of the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries gave their input into draft fisheries legislation, prepared by FFA and SPC.
FFA and SPC drafted the new legislation following some initial consultations with government and a further consultation with stakeholders including the Department of the Attorney General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, industry and non-government organizations last year.
Created in 1988, Samoa's fisheries Act needed modernization to better address new developments, reflect national priorities and enable the country to meet its regional and international obligations. The new legislation will cover coastal, aquaculture and oceanic fisheries in the one Act and be accompanied by a set of regulations (to be launched at the same time as the Act is approved).
Samoa Plans Fisheries Legislation Modernization
SAMOA - The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Secretariat of the South Pacific Community (SPC) coordinated legal consultations in Apia last week to review Samoa's fisheries legislation.