Samoa has secured US$2.5 million in funding to help put in place a national plan that will protect 30 per cent of its ocean and manage all of its marine waters more sustainably.

The funding will support the implementation of Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), a legally adopted framework covering the country’s 120,000-square-kilometre ocean. The plan aims to protect marine ecosystems while supporting food security, livelihoods and long-term economic resilience.

The MSP was developed under the 2020 Samoa Ocean Strategy and includes nine fully protected Marine Protected Areas covering 36,000 square kilometres. Officials say the protected areas will help ocean ecosystems recover, restore fish stocks, strengthen food security, support coastal resilience, expand sustainable tourism and maintain cultural connections to the sea.

“This Marine Spatial Plan was built through consultations with our industries and private sectors, and every community in all districts were engaged, including the fishers, women, youth, and matais. This plan reflects the commitment of the Government and the people of Samoa to protecting our oceans,” said Ale Vena Ale, Minister for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The plan was developed over five years with support from Conservation International and the Waitt Institute, which provided expertise in ocean governance, marine science and community engagement.

“Samoa's commitment to ocean management is world-leading. The implementation of the Marine Spatial Plan will not only safeguard globally significant marine ecosystems but strengthen food security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods for the Samoan people,” said Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President, Conservation Programs, Conservation International.

The Waitt Foundation will provide up to US$2.5 million to support implementation efforts, including monitoring, enforcement, communications and capacity building.

“Samoa has done the hard work, building a plan grounded in community voices, the best available science, and generations of traditional knowledge. We are honoured to continue to support Samoa as this vision becomes reality,” said Mike Goldman, President of the Waitt Institute.

Under an agreement, the Government of Samoa will develop an implementation plan focused on six areas: policy and legislation, governance, financial sustainability, monitoring and surveillance, research and data collection, and communications and capacity building.