Sustainable natural resource use and economic development in small states: the tuna fisheries in Fiji and Samoa

This paper is concerned with the sustainable management of the Western Pacific tuna fishery given its critical contribution to the economies of many small island developing states in the region. The paper focuses on contrasting the operation, regulation and management of the tuna fisheries in two Pacific island states, Fiji and Samoa, in the light of progress in regional fishery co-operation, and is based upon research undertaken in 2003. The analysis identifies critical shortcomings in implementation and enforcement of sustainable management policies in Fiji, which compare unfavourably with Samoa's attempts to ensure the long-term sustainability of a crucial economic sector. The principal differences in the effectiveness of these policies can be ascribed to the quality of governance as well as the general coherence of national economic policies. The paper attempts to highlight some of the problems faced by small developing states in ensuring the long-term sustainability of an important migratory marine resource. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.