(Population 113,000)
There is little doubt that at certain times of the year cottonii seaweed will grow in the waters around Western Samoa. However, there are a number of physical features associated with much of the coast line that are very likely to inhibit any sustainable commercial farming. Most of the Upolu south coast, from Cape Tulivae to Cape Tapaga, is considered too wave-exposed to the prevailing south-easterly trade winds for sustainable farming. There is some semi-sheltered water at Safata Bay (Fig. 1), between the villages of Tafitoala and Lotofaga-uta, where farming trials could be undertaken, but it is recommended that initial stock levels be increased at more favourable sites on the west and north coasts first. During the rainy season (November - April) fresh water run-off on the south coast is likely to lower the salinity of inshore lagoon waters, particularly when sea conditions are calm. Periods of lower than normal salinity are detrimental to cottonii growth and will initiate a loss of plant pigmentation, often referred to as ice-ice disease. For this reason trials should not be located near river estuaries or shore-line springs.
In west Upolu the most suitable areas for a farming development are the extensive shallow water reef flats in the Mulifanuaa area adjacent to Manono Island (Fig. 1). At low tide in this region there is sufficient water depth over a large area to accommodate both off-bottom farms and floating raft farms 200 – 400 metres off-shore. The area has current flow created by movement of water through the Apolima Straight, but is semi-protected from direct exposure to prevailing winds by Upolu Island (Fig. 2). Close inshore the current flow is reduced, and, consequently, siting trials and farms towards the seaward edge of the reef flat is recommended. The Mulifanuaa area is also favoured for cottonii potential because there are few streams flowing into the shallow near-shore flats, and consequently periods of lower than normal salinity are less likely than in other lagoon areas. On the nearby island of Manono there are areas close to the northeast shore-line that are suitable for floating long-line farming (Fig. 2).
On the north coast of Upolu between Mulifanuaa and Apia there are many shallow water areas inside the outer reef where conditions appear suitable for cottonii growth, but it is felt trials should initially be concentrated in areas where there is less exposure to potentially disruptive wave action.
In east Upolu a trial site was established at Saluafata (Fig. 3) on July 27 with one-third of the seed stock from Fiji. The northwest facing Saluafata shore is protected from prevailing winds by a headland. The village also has an established ‘no-take’ marine reserve area, and village residents are already monitoring clam re-seeding within the reserve. The reef-flat area for off-bottom farming is relatively small, but the potential exists to increase the initial stock for ‘seed’ material which can be distributed to Saluafata residents and to other areas such as Aleipata. The area is subject to some fresh water input near Fusi, which may cause problems in the rainy season. Similarly, further to the east at Fagaloa Bay there are semi-protected reef flats, between the villages of Lona and Samamea, which have suitable water depth for off-bottom farming, but there is already a considerable fresh water input into the bay at Taelefaga.
There are extensive shallow water areas on the east coast at Aleipata between the villages of Samusu and Satitoa. Earlier trials by Fisheries Division and by Mr. Peter Meredith have demonstrated that, at times, cottonii has grown well in this region, only to be later destroyed by cyclones The most suitable areas are in the prevailing wind shadows of the Aleipata Islands, particularly in the lee of Namua Island (Fig 4). In these areas there is high water movement from wind-driven wave action, but some protection from direct exposure to prevailing winds. It is estimated that there is more than 12 hectares of area with suitable water depth for off-bottom farming (Fig. 4).
