SAMOA RELEASES PLAN TO FULLY PROTECT 30% AND SUSTAINABLY MANAGE 100% OF ITS OCEAN BY 2030
Nine new fully protected MPAs will be established under Plan, launched at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster (Samoa’s Minister of MNRE), Cherie Prothro-Shea (Waitt Foundation), and Dr. Richard Jeo (Conservation International) at the launch of Samoa's Marine Spatial Plan.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has released a plan to protect, conserve, and manage marine resources for the benefit of the Samoan people. Created by and for the people of Samoa, the Marine Spatial Plan will support the sustainable management of Samoa's waters and will establish nine new fully protected Marine Protected Areas to improve biodiversity and ocean resilience.
“Through a deeply consultative process, the Plan was developed by the people of Samoa. It will ensure that Samoa’s ocean remains healthy by protecting vital marine habitats while allowing for sustainable economic activities like fishing and tourism. By better managing our ocean resources, this Plan will improve the resilience of our economy, people, and way of life, which are intrinsically connected to our ocean.” - Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster
Image: Representatives from the Government of Samoa, Samoa Ocean Strategy, Conservation International, and the Waitt Institute and Foundation gathered at CHOGM.
Protections under the Marine Spatial Plan will include the establishment of nine new fully protected MPAs, which will conserve 36,000 square kilometers of Samoa’s ocean. It will also incorporate existing nearshore community-managed areas.
MNRE led the Plan’s development process in partnership with relevant ministries across the Government of Samoa and in collaboration with Conservation International, the Waitt Institute, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organizations (SUNGO), and communities.
COMMONWEALTH LEADERS UNIFY TO IMPLEMENT THE APIA OCEAN DECLARATION
Image: Government and philanthropy leaders gathered at the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration side event at CHOGM.
At a side event held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, leaders met to discuss implementation of the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration (COD), also known as the Apia Ocean Declaration. This declaration will focus on enacting effective marine management, achieving the global 30x30 ocean protection target and mobilizing finance to support ocean commitments.
Government leaders from Samoa, Fiji, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Seychelles shared their ambitions and achievements related to marine protection and sustainable ocean management.
Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster said, “There is no better place to send out a strong message from the Commonwealth, especially on the conservation of the ocean and its resources, than from the heart of the Pacific here in Samoa.”
The dialogue was strengthened by representatives from the Waitt Foundation, National Geographic Pristine Seas, Conservation International, Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, UK Blue Planet Fund, and Blue Marine Foundation. These organizations discussed funding opportunities for ocean projects, emphasizing collaboration between governments, NGOs and the private sector.
Cherie Prothro-Shea, Managing Director of the Waitt Foundation, spoke about the role of philanthropy in supporting governments to reach their ocean management goals. She remarked, “The most successful way to achieve philanthropic support is by governments and philanthropy working in lockstep through transparent partnerships and importantly through local experts, community engagement, and other technical teams. Across our partnership programs in the Pacific and the Atlantic, we support highly collaborative efforts that galvanize long-term and sustainable outcomes.”
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