Giant clams in the sustainable development of the South Pacific : socioeconomic issues in mariculture and conservation

Abstract

This chapter explores the giant dam meat export experience of Fiji, Tonga and Westem Samoa. This is done by reporting on interviews conducted during fieldwork in these countries and by presenting secondary data. For Fiji, the introduction of an export ban for giant dam products meant the interruption of an (unsustainable) export of more than 30 tonnes of dam meat per year. A future dam mariculture industry could therefore look towards at least recapturing this share of the export market. Western Samoa and, to a lesser extent, Tonga have limited experience in dam export due to limited natural availability of dam stocks. In Tonga, there is however some commercial export taking place in the Vava'u group. For export purposes, the Vava'u group appears to be in a better position than the Ha'apai group because of favourable air links to overseas markets