The village of Vaiusu and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E) have launched a new plan for managing the area's mangrove ecosystem. 

The plan follows a climate resilience project brought about in partnership with the Samoa Civil Society Support Programme (C.S.S.P), the local community, and with funding from the World Bank.

The mangrove protection plan covers a time span between 2021-2025,

The management plan was officially launched on Tuesday by the caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi.

Tuilaepa said the importance of oceans and mangroves variously included as a food source, income from tourism and protection from climate change. 

"This is one attraction that tourists go and watch," he said.

Tuilaepa said that the Government was pushing for better management of marine resources.

He said that the current management plan seeks financial assistance from Government partners and organisations to fund long-term works. 

The plan’s objectives include enhancing the area’s ecological productivity; the resilience of mangroves; encouraging traditional values; conservation; and sustainable management and potential of mangroves. 

The plan’s overall goal is to protect and enhance the ecological productivity and resilience of Vaiusu’s mangrove ecosystem and the benefits it provides to members of the local community. 

The plan cites a recent assessment showing mangrove coverage in Vaiusu was over 7,000 square metres, composed of two species: red and oriental mangroves.

The document also warned of threats to the existing ecosystem and its associated flora and fauna.

“These include; invasive species, pollution from dumped waste into mangroves, human disturbance from coastal development, reclamation and destructive fishing methods. These threats need to be addressed given the economic, cultural, and social importance of the mangroves to the community and its surrounding environment,” the plan reads.

The plan emphasises the community's role in the management of the mangrove ecosystem and associated resources.