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Enhancing the sustainable management and protection of Samoa’s Protected Area Network

Marine Protected Area Terrestrial Protected Area Key Biodiversity Area

Governance Management effectiveness Livelihoods

Local Communities Farmers/Fishermen National or local PA agency

Sustainable development Survey/Data knowledge management Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME)

EUR 99,999 ; Pacific 8 February 2021 - 31 January, 2022

Protected and conserved area(s) concerned

Faleaseela watershed and rainforest sanctuary
Vailoa mangrove ecosystem conservation
Malaemalu mangrove conservation
Manono Coral gardening and mangrve conservation
Letogo-Vailele watershe management
Lotosoa Saleimoa mangrove conservation
Siufaga Falelatai mangrove conservation
Lalomauga Biodiversity conservation
Uafato conservation area
Malololelei Recreation Reserve
Sili Biodiversity conservation
Aopo Upland conservation area
Falealupo coastal forest conservation
Taga conservation area
Matavanu crater ecosystem conservation
Tafua crater conservation
Satoalepai wetland conservation area
Lefagoalii marine conservation area
Saipipi marine conservation area
Salelologa lowland coastal forest

The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed

Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations;
Enforce the legal framework required to achieve effective biodiversity conservation in PAs;
Support local communities’ initiatives aiming to enhance the livelihoods of local people whilst effectively contributing to protected areas management.

Priority need addressed

The need to collate and document updated management and ecological status of at least 20 PAs;
Allows and enables effective assessment and field surveys to be conducted for the selected protected areas;
Improve on the lack of resources (equipment/tools) and thus effective delivery of services for conservation and management works for protected areas (terrestrial and marine).

Project activities

To conduct a PAME assessment of Samoa’s protected area network using the Management Effectiveness and Tracking Tool. Given the higher percentage of Samoa’s protected area with limited and zero updated information, our goal is now on collating and updating the management effectiveness of the existing PAs listed in the current WDPA list for protected areas for Samoa. For this project, we propose to use the RAPPAM tool to get an overview of the management status for at least 20 PAs.
Secondly, the procurement of much-needed resources to improve the effectiveness of services for current PAs management efforts through surveys and maintenance work. The sustainable management of PAs continues to be a priority action for Samoa; thus we need to improve terrestrial PA infrastructure and facilities with the purchase of essential equipment and tools such as chainsaw, brush-cutter, electric high pressure and ladder. As for the management of marine and coastal ecosystems/biodiversity, is the purchase of the marine survey boat to support various marine undertakings for protected areas.

The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)

Positive outcomes are anticipated from the implementation of activities under the project, especially in improving the quality of our services on sustainable management and conservation of both terrestrial and marine PAs. Outcome of the PAME assessment will obtain data and information on the management and ecological status of at least 20 terrestrial PAs. Furthermore, it provides opportunity to improve knowledge and awareness as well as strengthen support and engagement of communities for conservational works such as restoration of heavily degraded areas, control of invasive species and biodiversity monitoring.

With the provision of well-equipped equipment and tools, this ensures improved operation through efficient and effective maintenance services and landscaping of terrestrial PAs in order to enhance ecosystem services and maintain environmental scenery beautification. The fully-equipped marine survey boat will help improve management of marine and coastal ecosystems/biodiversity conservation through; (i) regular research and monitoring/surveys/restoration activities (ii) management/conservation of species of interest and conservation concern including invasive operations, and (iii) effective surveillance and enforcement of marine PAs in order to improve compliance with existing regulatory mechanisms and measures.

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