Seaweeds are increasingly viewed as important in diets because of their nutritional and
health benefits, as well as other uses in agriculture. Edible green seaweeds are a natural
resource that grows on shallow lagoons and reefs around Samoa.
Sea grapes can be cultivated for local consumption and also potentially exported, providing
economic opportunity for Pacific Island countries.
On Thursday 9 th June 2002, the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries, held an Inception workshop for in 10 selected sites in Upolu. The Revitalisation,
Expansion and Diversification of Agriculture and Fisheries (REDSAF) Project through
UNDP is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ efforts to revitalize sea-grape
farming as a sustainable income earning opportunity for our local communities. The project
aims to strengthen COVID-19 preparedness and accelerate socio-economic recovery
through the revival of sea-grape also known as the limu fuafua in Samoa. The project
activities are implemented in 20 coastal villages across Samoa, focussing on the two main
Islands Upolu and Savaii.
One of the project components is to expand the Ministry’s Marine Multispecies Hatchery at
Toloa-Mulifanua to diversify aquaculture and mariculture stocks for distribution across
coastal village communities and semi-commercial fisheries in Samoa. The Ministry through
research and testing have been able to successfully farm sea-grapes, using farming
methods and techniques that are able to increase growth of sea-grapes. If successful, this
project will unlock niche market opportunities with income generating potential.
Through the generous support of the Government of Japan in collaboration with the UNDP
which enabled the Ministry to implement the project activities, including awareness
programs across communities of the benefits of Limu, as well as the promotion and transfer
of new farming techniques to increase Limu harvest for farmers.
Furthermore, this project is funding the construction of additional hatchery at Toloa to
increase and diversify aquaculture and mariculture stocks for distribution to communities.
The Ministry would like to acknowledge the Government of Japan in collaboration with the
UNDP for their great support in accelerating our efforts to advance the sea-grape or Limu
farming in Samoa.