Report by fisheries officer

1 Pages 1-10

▲back to top

1.1 Page 1

▲back to top
REPORT BY FISHERTI:S OFFICER ON HIS VISIT TO THE UEST COAST
OF AMERICA IN ORDER TO OBTAIH PHYSICAL SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS
WESTERH SAHOAN FISHERIES DE\\TELOPHENT PROJECTS
Period: A,ugu.st 14th - September 2nd 1972
1 • Background:
Throughout the first part of the year the Fisheries Officer attempted
••
to solicit support from various overseas agencies in the following
specific fisheries fieldss
(1) Establishment of a local small-craft boatyard.
(2) Recognition of Samoa's histork right to thoS-e
fisheries (tuna) which exist within 12 - 1000 miles
of her coasts and Samoa•s best method of protecting
these rights.
(:~) .Assistance nt international levels for Western
Smnon 1s mari and aquaculture projectsi i.e. the
established Turtle Hatchery and the embryonic 1ula
vni project.
In consequence of these enquiries the Fisheries Officer
was invitod to:
(1) Visit the Ocean Science Centre, Oregon to discuss
and tost various smnll fishing craft which could be
suited to Samoo 1s needs,
(2) Visit San Fransisco to discuss with the U,S. Govt.
Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) aa to if and
how tochnical support mieJit be obtained fran this
source to promote n boat buildi~ (dory) programme in
Western So.moo.
(,) Also whilst in San Fransisco to meot and discuss
with Dr. Loe Alvarson, Internationnl Marine Law
Expert attached to tho Natioml Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) concerning Western Somoa 1s interoet
and poesible pa.rticipation iu next yoars InterDD.tiono.l

1.2 Page 2

▲back to top
- 2-
l,ay of tho Sea Conference at which the whole question
of national eoa-rights nnd resource protoction would
be decided•
(4) Visit LOl:I .lngalcs and meet uith the Diroctor and
exocutivos of tho Jruiee Foundation in ordor to
ascertain what aseistnnce might be o.vo.ilable to
Western Samoa from tho Foundation in tho field of
fisheries.
(5) Fin.ally, consult with tho Foundation of the Peoples
of tho South Pcci.fic on his return via Hcnrai'i as to
what support gaps still r~:ined in Westorn Somoo.n
fisheries devolopmont progr011111Bs ond hClll FPSP might
further assist in overcoming thoso.
Financiol provision whereby the Fisheries Officer could
underto.ko theso journeys wo.s sot-up as follows.
(1) Trovel and aubsistonco to end from tho Unitod Statos
was provided by tho Found~tion for the Pooplos of tho
South Pacific.
(2) Travol and subsistonco whilst in Oregon and San Fransisco
WllS provided by tho u.s. Offioo of Economic Opportunity.
(3) Travel from Son Frruisisco to Los ;'uigles c.nd subeistonce
thore lm.s ftlt' niahed by tho Jo.nae Fowxlation.
Special duty loove wna granted to tho Fisheries Officer by
tho Public Service Commission so thct be mf8ht visit tho Western
aoabord of the United States at tho termimtion of the Fl.O/SPIFDli.
con:forence which took pl.nee in Noumoa .l.ugust 5th - 11th 1972.

1.3 Page 3

▲back to top
-3-
TRi.VEL IT nmm..\\RY
Monday August 14th
Tueado.y n 15th
Wodnosday n 16th
Thursday "
Frido.y
II
Friday
II
Tuosdny II
17th
18th
18th
22m
Wednesday 11
Sunday II
23rd to
27th.
Monday II
28th
Tuesclo.y II
Wodnllsduy 11
Friday "
29th
30 to
1st
Monday " 4th
Loave Noumea for Fiji.
Leave Fiji for Hawlli 1i.
University of Ha.wai 1i. Discussions
with following personnel:
Dr. Garth Murphy
Dr. Fronk Heater
l Skipjnclc TUD!l ~Rosouroo
Dr. John Ball
Fisheries Educo.tion
Dr. Enrnoot Ross Turtle Renring (Nutrition)
Honolulu to Portlam, Oregon
Portl..:md to Marino Scionco Centro, Newport.
Testing and fishing-ovo.luntion of
various small boats out of Pacific City.
(Fishorios Officer broke his <'.Ilk.lo and
fractured two bones in his foot dwing
tho course of ro\\18h-weather trials).
Diacuasiona with officials of OEO
concerning au~port for South Pacific
regional small bout-building progrommos
und provision of technical instructions.
To Son Fransisco to moot ,rith Dr. Lee
1..lvarsan.
To Los Jingles to meot with Jansa Foundation.
Discussions with Janas Foundation
executives (Medico.l e:uunino.tion of
Fisheries Officers log resulted in his
being convaloaaed for wookom and roturn
to Samoa postponed).
Loa J.,ngloa - llo.wai 1i - PagoPago.
(H.B. Fiaherioa Offioor did not atop-over
in Bawai 1i for discussion with FPSP
ropre~ontativoa on account of too condition
of his leg).

1.4 Page 4

▲back to top
-4-
ppnosia of Discussi ons . etc.
1.
Meeting 1a In attendance: Dr. Garth Murphy, University of Howai 1 i.
Dr. Frank Hestor, N{\\t. Unrine Fiahorios
Service.
W. Tro.vie,
Wostern Samoa.
Subjects: (n) Use of University of Hllwni 1i laboratory
{acilities for investigation of any future
problems donli.ng with the biological aspects
of Wostern Samoa's Tuna Fishery dovolopnent.
(b) Possibility of utilising future University
ocean il:rtoatigo.tory cruises for survoys
into Wostorn 13£lmoon near-water oceanic
phononemn.
Rosults: (a) Agreomont for specimen identifications
stomach contents analysis, blood groupings
otc to be carried out by University of
Hllwni I i lo.borc.torios on our request.
(b) University of Hllwni 1i to notify Western
Slllllon in advo.nce of any ocoanic surveys to
be cr>.rriod out by thoir rosonrch ships
in tho noighbourhood.
Meeting 2. In nttondnnco: Dr. J. Ball, University of Bawai 1i (E/w Contro)
W. Travis, Wostorn Samoa.
Subject: (a) Aqunculturo in Bawni 1i (Mullot & Ula-vai)
Availability of Univ. Ho.wni 1i documentation
and possibility of E/w Contre J>roviding
Study Grants for Wcstem Samoan Aqunculturo
traineoa.
Results: (n) Broad ngroemont though question of E/w
Centro providing Study Grants will roquiro
some manipulation. Possibly UNDP might
provido funds as Fellowships. Travis
agrood to tcl!::e up this nnttor with

1.5 Page 5

▲back to top
":" 5 -
tho Regional. Reprosontativo UNDP on his
return to Samoa.
Moo tim 3. In attendance: Dr. Ernost Roes, (Food Nutritional Expert)
w. Travis,
Western &Don.
Subjoct: (a) Turtle Roaring: W.Samoan experionco,
{b)
"
ft
Comparative growth rntos
W.Sam.oon/Ho.wai 1inn turtles.
(c) Turtle Merkots: Outlots for turtles and
turtle products ovor and nbovo thoao
roquirod for locnl consumption.
(d) Intorchango of ho.tchlings for oriontation
a.nd navigo.tionnl. toots.
Results: (n) Univ, Hawoi 1 i nfµ'eed to lllllko ovailnblo
all d~tn concorning.turtlo roaring end
would ntto.mpt to croato n now cboap
pellet-food designed to supplimont tho
usual foddor-type foods used in turtle-
roo.ring.
(b) Wostorn Samoan would provido a few (loss
than 100) turtle batchlings in order to
ovnluoto vc.riou:J turtlo-diots,
(c) Western Somoo. would provide a few (loss
than 1oo) turtlo hlltchl:lngs in ordor for
tho University for tho University to bo
ablo to evaltlll.to various turtlo-diots on
&lmoan turtle stocks

1.6 Page 6

▲back to top
- 6-
Visit to Ocean Science Centre, Oreeyn State University
(Fridey- 18th AU81,l8t to Tuesday 22nd)
Purpose: The purpose of this visit was to discuss and evaluate
small, simply-constructed fishing boats and their fishing goar
best suited to Western Samoan waters am fish resources.
~ : The Ocean Science Cent,re has boen responsible for the developnent
of the Pacific.-type Dory and its efficient hydraulic fishing-gear.
Results: The Fisheries Officer inspected and personally tested
a variety of craft and their gear; mainly in weather conditions far
worse than those axperienced in Western Samoa. (It was during
the courso of one such trial that the Fisheries Officer bad his
ankle broken due to a wire retaining stay snapping under load).
As a result of those experiments both ho and Dr. Barry Fisher
(Professor of Fishing Technology at o.s.u.) camo to a joint decision
that tho following vessel was most suitod for South Pacific purposes.
Vessel: A 24-ft modified Pacific City typo Dory equipped with a
jct-propulsion unit and hydraulic fishing gear and fitted wi~
threo skid-type keels. Tho cost of such a boat, excluding labour,
would bo some US~4,600. This boat has a speed of 32 m.p.h. in
calm water and 18 m.p.h. in rough water for a fuol consUiilption
of about 1 gallon per hour. Furthormore, it can operate in water
only 4 inches deep since it has no 1lower unit 1 or propeller,
Maneouvrability is excellent and tho boat can go from full
ohoad to full a.stern in 3 seconds.
Using this po.rticulor vossol, Professor Fisher and tho
Fisheries Officer, by thomaolves, c.aught 1,-ton of albacore tuna
in 4 hours fishing during rough wea.thor.
Additional Results: Having docided upon tho best vessel hllving
raga.rd to ea.se of construction cost and pcrfonia.nce, the Fisheries

1.7 Page 7

▲back to top
-7-
Officer in conjunction with the Mlll'ine Science Centre drow up a
'Production Analysia Plan' wheroby o. self-conto.ined island boat-
building enterprise might be established.
Critical features of this included:
1. Participation at tho commencement of a key expatriot
boat-building and mcchlutlcal instructors.
2. A fool-proof system of stores ordering of materials
am equipment for production lino assembloy.
,. The incorporation of prospoctive boat-buyers as
assisto.nt boo.t-buildera thereby cutting down purchase-
costs and providing buyer-interest in tho boo.ts and
knowledge of their construction.
This complete 11Dory-Progr1lml!le Blue print" is now in fino.l
preparation and will serve. a master-plan for setting-up a Dory
Boatyard capable of producing up to 24 boats por year.

1.8 Page 8

▲back to top
- 8-
Discussions vith OEO Officials
(Wednosdny 23rd August to Swxlcy 27th August)
Purpose: To ostablish how boat tho 6ffico of Economic Opportunity
(OEO) might possibly provide assistance to Wostorn Samoa in fisheries,
having regard to the fact thu.t CEO is only responsible for American
territorios.
Rosul ts: Aftor longtby discussions it was rosolved that OEO
could conceivably a1:1siat by the provision of a "technical export"
(i.e. a boot-builder) for a limited ti.mo, on tho basis of it being
on experiment in avorsons training. Tho host-country would, however,
bo responsible for housing of such on oxpert.
Following upon this decision EIJl investigation was mado
into the actual selection of such n person and aver tho wookond
ruld. following sovcrlll journeys und interviews a likely co.ndidate
for the appointment waa located. A/3 it stands at the moment wo
might expert this technician to tclte up his post here, ,P.rovidcd
thp.t all else is in readiness, in early Fobl'Ullry 1'f7'j for a
6 month spell of training local personnel.

1.9 Page 9

▲back to top
- 9-
DiscUDsions with Dr. Loo .Alvarson: (Mr.rino L,:tu E:::port)
(Mondny 23th August)
Purpqs.2,: This mooting was called at the request of Dr. Alvnrson
in order to mako sure th:i t Western ::lamoa wa.s mude a.ware of the
itlrx>rtanco of tho forthcomina- ( 1973) International Ipw gt tho Sea
Conference.
k~• Dr. Alvnraon asked the Fisheries Officer to pass on to
tlle Prime Minister and Attorney General the following information:
Dr. AJ.vo.rsen strongly urged tha.t Uestern Samon sent a
qUD.lifiod represontativo to this Conferonco since the voting to.ken
at it would docido at Intemo.tionnl levals, world policy os regard
to territorial and oxtra-torritor:iD.l fish!~ r:l,8ilts. He was at
pa.ins to point out thnt tho Con.ferorco bad been set-up along lines
of "One-territory-one-vote" whereby BJJ111l, indepondont countries
would have oqunl.. voting po'll'er f16a1nat such fiahing-terri tory
acquisitive countries o.s Japan, the USSR and the USA. If Woatern
Samoa wiehod to preserve and ensure her mnrine raaources this
conforenco was tho organ by whl.ch uuch proservation could be
a.asurod and quaranteed.
Tho Fishorios Officer promised to include this in his
overall roport end requests that this po.rticular section be
referred to the appropriAto authorities for their consideration
ond action.

1.10 Page 10

▲back to top
- 10 -
DAscuasions wijp_Janss Founk. tion Executives
(Tuosday 29th August to Friday 1st Septombor)
Background: Tho Janss Foundation is a self-liquidating USl10
million trust fund devoting itself to marine devolopnent in the
Pacific. Up till recently ita efforts have boeo. directed towll:t'ds
assisting research projects in TTPI ond the Galapagos Islands.
However, Mr Ed. Jonas, thG founder hos come to the conclusion
that participation by hia foundation in such projocts is both
unproductive and unneceasnry und now seeka alternate avenuGs of
investment. It was on this basis that the Fisherios Officer was
requested to meet with the Foundations Executives.
Results: As a result of lengthy c. complex discussions a.nd arguments
it was finnlly c.groed tho.t:
(a) The Janss Foundation purchased and delivorGd to Western
Samoa a canplote inventory of boat-building workshop
oquipnent and mechantcal uorkahop Gquipnont (to the
value of some US816,ooo) according to a. scale laid
down by tho Fisheries Officer in ordor to equip nnd
furnish a canpleto Dory boat-building and equipping
boat-yard.
Thia equipnent to be in Wostern Somoo. beforo the New
Year.
(b) The Janss Foundo.tion will supply technical equipnent
necessury to carry on advruicod turtle-behavioural
studies at tho Aloipatn Hatchery according to a scale
furnisb:>d by the Fishorieo Officer. {Valuo approximately
US$6,000).
(c) Tho Janas Foundation to commeme planning an invostigo.tory
oceanic project whereby the critical aroa of upwelling
ocean water off Faloalupo is carefully examined and a
scientific QSsossmont of its full potontia.l. is made.

2 Pages 11-20

▲back to top

2.1 Page 11

▲back to top
- 11 -
Thia investigution to includo the provision or o. small
research vessol (possibly built in Wostorn Samoa) am
a research 2-111Rn submo.rino on loan. Scientific expertise
to be provided by University of Hawai 1i, Gu.em, and
South Pacific with back-up assistance from Scripts
Institute of Ocelll\\ography. This projoct to be roady
in plan fom for tho proposed visit of Mr. Ed. Janas
to Western Samoa in January ;1973.
(d) Tho Janas Foundation to seek in conjunction with the
Found~tion of tho Peoples of the South Pacific, a
administrative structure whoroby the sun of 125,000
be established as s. "Revolving Fund" in order to activate
a Western Samoo.n Dory Building Programme.
Such Funding to be re-cycling a.nd solf-porpotuating.

2.2 Page 12

▲back to top
- 12 -
Conclus~
As can bo aeon from all this thero ho.a emerged serious
concrete support for Western Samoa's fisheries developncnt, with
particular rogard to tho rapid introduction of a small-bout
fishing ind.ustry.
It now remains for Western Samoa to talce udvantugo of
this opportunity by providing tho nocoseury small-sc..~le counterpart
involvement whereby these projects can become uctua.litios.
(Williom A. Travis)
CHOO' FISHERIES OFFICER