Problem overview:

     Policies and measures: The Samoa Fisheries Extension and Training Project has discovered that the best solution for controlling fishing activities in the Pacific Island countries is not the enforcement of national command and control policies, but to allow fishing villages to manage and control the fishing activities themselves.

Background in summary:

     Command and control does not work in the case of PICs: Coral Reefs throughout the world are declining at an alarming rate. There are multiple causes, including global warming, destructive fishing practices, overfishing, and pollution from land-based sources. Making laws and regulations to control small scale commercial and subsistence fishing has had a history of absolute failure.

     Community participation and self-control is the solution: Without the understanding and willing support of the village people there is no possibility of management of coastal resources. In recognition of this need, AusAID funded The Samoa Fisheries Extension and Training Project. The project is one of the most innovative and successful examples of community/government partnerships for coastal fisheries management in the Pacific region.

     Project officers can assist village people only through advice giving: The project began in 1995. Project personnel met with Village Councils and explained the need for local management. They can provide scientific advice, training and other assistance to help people learn ways to protect the marine environment. The Division will not do things for people but will assist people to do things for themselves.

     Village people formulate their own management plan: By 1998, 54 villages had joined the plan. Many had created and approved fisheries management plans. The plans include bans on use of explosives and chemicals, a reserve area, recognition of size limits and other restrictions.

     The key to a successful village fisheries management plan: is having the villagers develop their own management plan because they understand the issues and wish to protect their own fishery resources. If they have other motivations (expecting foreign aid or free goods and services) the project will not succeed.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	2	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		2	Participation of the community
3	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	2	Participation of resource owners/users
3	Socio-cultural adaptability.	2	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
3	Level of development adaptability.	-	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	2	Ability to attract political interest/support
3	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:      Another key factor that has contributed to the success of this project is the commitment that project officers have contributed to working with the village people along with the involvement of a socio-biologist on the team who understands social processes of village life. Sustainability of the project:   Adaptability of the project to other situations:      Degree of decentralization adaptability: The essence of this project is decentralization of National Fisheries Authority to local village committees. This will be difficult in countries with highly centralized governments that govern using command and control techniques. It is also difficult to apply to urban areas or where local communities have no control over their coastal water resources.      Style of Government adaptability: This project would be difficult or impossible to implement in countries that allocate all authority of the marine resources below the high tide line to the national or sub-national government and where Law stipulates an open domain policy for navigable waters. Process of decision making and implementation:      Policies and measures: Involving local communities in monitoring and enforcement has been effective in Australia and New Zealand where command and control systems and coastal water enforcement mechanisms are well established. The key is in making communities realize it is in their own best interests to either make their own coastal zone plans or work in partnership with government agencies to control fishing and set up reserves. Cost efficiency: