Ulusapeti Tiitii1,2, Courtney Anderson1, Silva Larson1, Losan Madar2, Esmay Tanielu2 and Libby Swanepoel1
1UniSC Seaweed Research Group, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Apia, Samoa
In Samoa, there is an opportunity to transform seaweed fisheries as a gender inclusive, nutrition-sensitive food system to improve environmental and livelihood outcomes for local communities. Photo-elicitation is a qualitative technique, whereby images are used as a reference point to frame responses during focus group discussions. The aim of this study was to engage with men and women in coastal communities of Samoa using a photo elicitation approach, to explore their current and potential role in local seaweed food supply and value chains. The study was set in ten coastal communities of Samoa, on the island Savai’i. Focus group discussions (n=20) were conducted with a total of 135 participants. Findings highlighted the need for overall governance of seaweed at the village level (including planning and management), with an emphasis on sustainable farming and harvesting practices. Governance of seaweed (as a collective resource) was perceived to occur within existing social village structures (Fa’amatai system), which may present barriers for women in terms of equal involvement in village decision making, access to the reef and other opportunities. However, there appears to be a desire to work better together from both men and women. This approach engaged local people as active participants in the research process, which has guided the development of a subsequent capacity building programme. The programme is being used to support men and women, in agreement, to establish sustainable food supply chains at the village level, thus providing reliable access to fresh food and income and improving health and livelihoods.