It is a first for Samoa. The local tuna industry is strengthening sustainable practices and improving social responsibility standards which are key steps for our fisheries to access higher-value international markets such as the United States and Europe.

Last week, Conservation International (CI) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Apia Export Fish Packers Ltd. and the Tautai Samoa Association to advance Pacific Tuna Jurisdictional Initiatives in Samoa while simultaneously supporting the Samoa Ocean Strategy 2030.

The signing is a step towards advancing sustainable tuna fisheries management in Samoa aimed at achieving 100 per cent management and 30 per cent protection of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030.  

Partners will work together to strengthen environmental, social, and economic performance across Samoa’s offshore tuna fisheries—particularly the South Pacific albacore fishery— through the implementation of science-based tools, policy alignment, and market-driven improvements.

Technical Director of Conservation International Samoa, Leausalilo Leilani Duffy said the MoU was long outstanding.

“This includes SRA (Social Responsibility Assessment), MSC Assessment and ensuring the workers in the industry understand their rights. The project is the first of its kind in Samoa, led by Conservation International Samoa with support from partners to support the local tuna industry in strengthening sustainable practices and improving social responsibility standards which are key steps for our fisheries to access higher-value international markets such as the United States and Europe,” Leausalilo said.

“This also marks the trust that the industry has with CI Samoa and the support for the SOS and the 30x30 GBF goal and a national commitment."

The partnership will also focus on enhancing collaboration between government, industry, and civil society to support sustainable ocean management, as well as promote the use of diagnostic tools to improve fishery performance, explore market opportunities and certification pathways that recognise responsible fishing practices and add value to Samoa’s tuna products while supporting human rights and ensuring decent work conditions in Samoa’s fishing sector in line with international standards informed by the local context.

This MoU has opened a new pathway for relevant partners to collaborate and work towards a shared vision of sustainably managing Samoa’s tuna fisheries and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It reinforces collective efforts toward maintaining well-managed, climate-resilient tuna stocks, ensuring environmental sustainability and social responsibility across Samoa’s fishing sector, and driving innovation that enhances value creation and livelihood opportunities for communities that depend on these resources.

The Jurisdictional Approach (JA) for Pacific Tuna Project is being implemented in Samoa, Fiji, Palau, and New Caledonia and aims to strengthen tuna governance and sustainability through integrated policy and market approaches that benefit both people and nature.