Year of publication 1999

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Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

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Pages p.33

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Author Luxton, D.

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Product type Project

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Edition 1

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Synopsis (short abstract) This report identifies coastal sites on Upolu and Savaii islands that have physical features which indicate suitability for cottonii mariculture using the off-bottom constant depth farming method. These sites are located on reef flats at Aleipata and Mulifanuaa on Upolu, and in the Asau Harbour on Savaii. Areas suitable for farming using the floating raft and floating long-line methods are also identified. However, because of the higher cost and higher labour requirement of these methods, comm ercial development using the off-bottom method is recommended. Culture on rafts is only recommended to initially increase ‘seed’ stock from the small quantity of recently re-imported plants from Fiji. Commercially viable farming in Samoa can only properly be assessed by starting some family-owned and operated farms, and monitoring yields and financial returns for effort. The impact of possible negative factors, such as lower salinity in the rainy season and seasonal grazing by juvenile rabbitf ish, are best assessed in commercial farming rather than in experimental trials. The motivation of people to engage in farming is difficult to predict. A farmer price for dry cottonii of SAT 0.75 per kg is recommended, based on estimated trading costs and current world market export prices. This price is above the current producer price for copra. Experience on other Pacific islands indicates cottonii production is an attractive alternative to income from copra, when both commodities are simil arly priced at the producer level. Data is also presented to show that cottonii farming at fertile sites can provide a household income equivalent to SAT 7,000 – 8,000 per annum, which is higher than many current household incomes in Savaii and rural Upolu.

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Language English

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