Beyond the binary: queer inclusion and invisible labour in Samoa’s fisheries value chains

This pilot study examines how individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions (SOGIE), specifically fa’afafine, fa’atama, and lesbian/bisexual women, navigate and contribute to Samoa’s fisheries value chains. Drawing on a culturally grounded Pacific Research Paradigm and employing talanoa driven focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and vendor surveys conducted between October and December 2021, we document the informal yet essential roles these communities play across reef gleaning, nearshore fishing, post-harvest processing, and fish vending. Grounded theory analysis reveals that, while SOGIE individuals possess extensive ecological knowledge and adaptive livelihood strategies, their participation remains largely invisible to formal fisheries programs due to binary driven policies, systemic stigma, and restrictive village governance. Fa’afafine are encouraged and accepted in taking on “feminine” tasks (e.g. processing and retail), and similarly, fa’atama performing “masculine” fishing methods and roles are also accepted, though without formal recognition. Lesbian/bisexual women sustain critical gleaning niches that underpin household food security. Economic resilience often relies on kinship networks and livelihood diversification, yet access to training, credit, and decision-making forums is constrained. By centring relational values, this study not only broadens gender analysis in fisheries beyond men and women but also offers practical recommendations: policy frameworks must explicitly include SOGIE individuals in training, microfinance, and governance; and fisheries extension services should co-design interventions with local SOGIE organizations. Our findings underscore the transformative potential of queering fisheries policies in Pacific contexts and chart pathways for more equitable and inclusive marine resource management.