Fisherman Anointing Koriseta is on a mission to achieve his big dreams and he believes this is achievable through the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project.

The 24-year-old said he lives by the phrase, “start small, dream,” while working his way through many obstacles in life.

Having recently signed his Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project (S.A.F.P.R.O.M.) grant agreement, it now enables him to purchase a new dinghy with a motor to help grow and sustain his fishing business as well as increase their household income.

He sells fish but not that many, “so a dinghy will help me put some more people in the boat and start a business.”

The young fisherman thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for giving them access to these grant schemes.

“It’s a dream because they are trying to help me get to where I want to be," he said. 

It has not been easy for the young fisherman, who cut short his education in Upolu and returned to Savaii to help take care of his parents after his grandfather fell ill in 2016. 

What began as a way to provide healthy food and earn a little income to support the family, has led to the opening of a pathway to financial independence for Mr. Koriseta, who can see a future in commercialising his fishing venture.

“My brother in law taught me how to fish but he passed away and we continue to still do it," he added. 

“You know sometimes in life you cannot find food here so only the sea can provide us with healthy food to eat.”

He also shared in a statement shared by S.A.F.P.R.O.M. that when you look at your parents, you start to worry if you will end up with no job.

"But I saw that the sea can provide for us and you can find food whether its fish or limu [seaweed] so that your parents can eat healthy. 

Although life is a struggle - this soulful fisher finds satisfaction in his work knowing that he is helping to feed others and provide for his family.

“I enjoy fishing and when you sell fish and see people enjoying what you caught, it makes me feel happy.

“You work to own the money, you don’t steal it. It makes me feel good to see my parents are happy - that is all I live for and they are so proud of me for helping out with the family.”

Mr. Koriseta and his brother are the main breadwinners in the family with the help of his siblings overseas but since the global pandemic, it’s been tough on them to send regular remittances but this has made him more determined to expand his fishing venture and help other unemployed youth who are struggling.

“My motto is to start small and dream big. One day we are going to get a bigger boat and we can help out some other kids that need jobs so they can help out with their families.” 

“In my village there are a lot of kids fishing at a young age because they don’t go to school. 

“Some are selling fish but they need help and a way to go further out in the ocean so this is another reason why I want to have a business to help the kids in my village get some money for their families.”