Samoa Fish Direct
Established in 2025 by Tuuaunafua Peneueta Maugagaoa Uili Farani, Samoa fish direct is set to supply affordable fresh fish to aiga around Samoa at competitive prices.
Committed to the promotion of environmental conservation, Asini Fishing / Samoa Fish Direct employ sustainable fishing practices while supporting local community and environmental development projects.
Asini Fishing is part of the wider Eco-Pirates action group focused on social, economic and environmental development programmes in Samoa.
Presently Samoa Fish Direct operate a team of local fishermen from shore and in small boats. In 2026, the Rae Lee will join the party enabling access to fishing beyond the reef and tuna troller.
The Ship
The Rae Lee is a custom built 32 foot full keeled sail enabled fishing vessel with a four tonne hold. She has been fishing off the coast of Whitianga for more than twenty years. The Rae Lee is being prepped for delivery to Samoa in early 2026 where she will get on with the Asini Fishing Mission.
Sustainability
Trolling and bottom fishing are considered more sustainable and selective fishing methods compared to net fishing and longlining, especially in the context of Samoa's small-scale and nearshore fisheries.
🌊 1. Lower Bycatch (Unwanted Catch)
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Trolling and bottom fishing are targeted methods, meaning fishers usually catch specific species like tuna, snapper, or grouper.
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In contrast, longlining and net fishing often result in high bycatch—including non-target fish, juvenile fish, turtles, sharks, and even seabirds.
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For Samoa, where marine biodiversity is rich but vulnerable, minimising bycatch is critical to protect the ecosystem.
🎯 2. Species Selectivity
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Trolling uses lures or baited hooks to attract specific pelagic fish like skipjack or yellowfin tuna. Fishers can choose the type of bait and depth to match the desired species.
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Bottom fishing targets reef or demersal species, usually one at a time using hook and line.
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In contrast, nets and longlines catch a broad range of species, some of which may be endangered or not commercially viable.
🐢 3. Safer for Marine Habitats
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Bottom fishing in Samoa is typically done by handline and doesn't damage coral reefs if done carefully.
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Trawling (a type of net fishing, though not widely used in Samoa) and other large net operations can cause severe habitat destruction by scraping the ocean floor or entangling coral.
🌱 4. Better for Small-Scale Fishers and Community Livelihoods
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Trolling and bottom fishing are accessible to local fishers using small boats and simple gear.
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They support subsistence and artisanal fishing, which is essential for food security and economic stability in Samoa’s coastal villages.
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Net fishing and longlining often require larger vessels and more industrialised operations, which can displace traditional fishing practices.
🕒 5. Easier Regulation and Monitoring
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Selective methods like trolling and bottom fishing are easier to regulate and track, making them more compatible with Samoa’s efforts to manage fish stocks through community-based fisheries management (CBFM).
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Monitoring bycatch and compliance is far more difficult in large-scale longline or net fisheries.