"This is one management measure ... to try and protect against over-exploitation of fish," the official, Amituana'i Tavita Sasi, said.

Scuba fishermen can take more fish and go deeper than traditional free divers. "This reduces the chance for these creatures to breed," he said.

Marine life that escape free-diving fishermen replenish reefs and lagoons, he said.

Amituana'i said the new ban was also intended to protect the lives of users of air tanks, many of whom had no training in using them.

At least two deaths have been known to have been caused by the bends in Samoa, where there are no decompression chambers for sufferers.

TERRA.WIRE