Samoa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, with opportunities to redefine its economic and environmental priorities. By embracing a hybrid blue economy approach, the nation can unlock the full potential of its land and sea resources, ensuring long-term food security, economic resilience, and environmental preservation. While the blue economy concept has seen significant advancements in countries like Fiji, Samoa has yet to adopt a similar trajectory, despite possessing a rich cultural and ecological foundation for such initiatives.
The Samoa Ocean Strategy, launched in 2020, provides a robust framework for sustainable ocean management. Its goals include protecting 30 percent of Samoa’s ocean territory and ensuring sustainable use of the remainder by 2030. The initiative prioritises marine conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable fishing practices. However, the broader concept of the blue economy expands beyond marine conservation, encompassing sustainable agriculture, energy production, and community-driven economic models.
Samoa’s growing reliance on imported foods has contributed to rising health challenges, including diabetes and obesity. Processed foods have increasingly replaced fresh, locally grown produce and seafood, disrupting traditional food systems and reducing self-sufficiency. This shift threatens Samoa’s food sovereignty, increases household expenses, and undermines sustainability efforts. A hybrid blue economy could reverse these trends by reintegrating traditional practices into the nation’s development model.
Revitalising time-tested farming practices, such as rotational planting and agroforestry, could enhance soil health, increase food security, and reduce dependence on imports. Community-managed fishing areas, guided by tapu systems, offer a pathway to maintaining fish stocks while supporting local livelihoods. Meanwhile, adopting renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and tidal power, could lower energy costs and reduce Samoa’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, creating a more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Neighbouring Fiji has demonstrated the potential of the blue economy to foster sustainable growth. Through policies emphasising eco-tourism and renewable energy, Fiji has shown that it is possible to develop industries that are both economically viable and environmentally sound. Samoa could adapt similar strategies to its unique cultural and environmental context, fostering inclusive development while preserving vital resources.
Samoa’s cultural heritage provides a natural foundation for a blue economy. The principles of stewardship and communal responsibility embedded in fa’a Samoa align with the goals of sustainability and equitable growth. Reviving traditional food systems and resource management practices would reconnect communities with these values, offering economic benefits while reinforcing cultural identity.
A hybrid blue economy is not merely a strategy for economic growth but a reimagining of development itself. It calls for policies that prioritise resilience, self-reliance, and the well-being of both people and the environment. By adopting this approach, Samoa has the potential to become a regional leader in sustainable development, setting an example for other Pacific nations.
Collaboration across government, local communities, and international partners will be critical in realising this vision. The journey may be challenging, but it offers a pathway to a future where economic prosperity and environmental preservation coexist in harmony. Samoa’s ability to align its development goals with the values of sustainability and tradition will determine the success of this transformative vision.
