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Samoa Marine Spatial Plan

WHAT IS THE
SAMOA MARINE SPATIAL PLAN?

The Samoa Marine Spatial Plan 2024–2034 establishes an ocean management system designed to protect, conserve, and manage marine resources within Samoan waters. Developed as part of the Samoa Ocean Strategy, the Plan reflects Samoa’s commitment to implementing sustainable ocean governance and protecting marine biodiversity.​

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The Marine Spatial Plan was developed by the people for the people of Samoa. It includes the establishment of nine new fully protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which will be formally designated pending passage of legislation. The Plan also incorporates existing nearshore managed areas. It aims to ensure that various ocean activities are managed holistically.
 

Implementing the Marine Spatial Plan contributes to sustaining ocean health, preserving ecosystem services, and achieving socio-economic priorities.


It also supports Samoa’s global commitment to the 30x30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of Samoa's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030. 

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Click to read The Plan

WHY IS THE SAMOA MARINE SPATIAL PLAN
IMPORTANT?

The Samoa Marine Spatial Plan ensures that Samoa’s ocean remains healthy for current and future generations, protecting vital

marine habitats while allowing for sustainable

economic activities like fishing and tourism. 

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It aims to balance conservation with

livelihoods and economic growth.

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Fa'asamoa is the respect for others,

devotion to family, and a deep appreciation

for preserving our natural resources. The Samoa

Marine Spatial Plan follows this cultural concept.

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HOW WAS THE PLAN
DEVELOPED?

Between 2019 and 2024, the Government of Samoa conducted a comprehensive planning process to create a marine spatial plan for its marine waters. This planning process was guided by the Samoa Ocean Strategy and incorporated traditional science and knowledge, cultural values, and the most up-to-date biodiversity, economic, and biophysical data.

 

Led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the planning process was divided into three main phases that served as the foundation for developing the marine spatial plan: 

  1. Securing a commitment from the entire government for the work plan. 

  2. Collecting data and developing relevant spatial planning data and tools. 

  3. Conducting extensive community consultation and engagement across government agencies and private sector to collaboratively build the marine spatial plan.

WHO WAS
INVOLVED?

From 2019-2024 the Plan’s development was guided by extensive consultations with government ministries, industry representatives, local communities, and other stakeholders under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the National Ocean Steering Committee.

 

In 2020, the Marine Spatial Planning Support Working Group was established to oversee the development of the Plan. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Chief Executive Officer chaired the Marine Spatial Planning Working Group and guided the Marine Spatial Planning process. 

 

The Marine Spatial Planning Working Group members were represented by: 

  • Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) 

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

  • Ministry of Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services (MOPPC)

  • Ministry of Women, Community Service and Development (MWCSD)

  • Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI)

  • Samoa Ports Authority (SPA)

  • Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC)

  • Samoa Tourism Authority (STA)

  • Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations Inc. (SUNGO)

  • National University of Samoa (NUS)

  • Conservation International (CI) 

  • Waitt Institute (WI)

  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

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Communities were also involved in developing the Samoa Marine Spatial Plan 2024-2034  through thorough and detailed consultations with national stakeholders.

 

Throughout the consultation phase, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment consulted with all sections of the village communities, including the Village Fono (seating of chiefs/titled men and women), women, men, and youth, regarding ocean activities, cultural perceptions, and monitoring and enforcement.

 

In addition to community consultations, key sectors were targeted for ongoing engagement. These key sectors included fisheries, tourism, government ministries and organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society organisations (CSOs).

 

During each phase, more than 1,500 individuals were consulted through 96 workshops across 185 coastal village communities.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is the Samoa Ocean Strategy?
    The Samoa Ocean Strategy, or SOS, is the national policy framework that seeks to sustainably manage Samoa’s vast ocean and marine resources for the well-being of all Samoans now and into the future. The SOS provides bold and comprehensive integrated ocean management solutions that will advance ocean stewardship and ensure the cultural and economic values that Samoans derive from their 120,000 square kilometers of ocean are preserved for generations to come. The ocean is the source of life. It has sustained Samoa and its people for generations and remains critical to the nation's economy, culture, and well-being. However, the ocean faces unprecedented threats from global climate change, unsustainable fisheries and development, and pollution. The SOS aims to address these problems. The SOS complements existing plans while strengthening ocean conservation efforts. It focuses on Marine Spatial Planning, sustainable fisheries management, and further developing Samoa’s Blue Economy. The strategy also integrates implementing and managing Sustainable Development Goals, regional policies, and international commitments concerning the marine environment.
  • What is Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan?
    Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan [2024–2034] (the Plan) establishes an ocean management system designed to protect, conserve, and manage marine resources within Samoan waters. Developed as part of the Samoa Ocean Strategy (SOS), the Plan reflects Samoa’s commitment to implementing sustainable ocean governance and protecting marine biodiversity. The Plan was developed by the people for the people of Samoa. It includes the establishment of nine new fully protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which will be formally designated following the passage of legislation. The Plan also incorporates existing nearshore managed areas. It aims to ensure that ocean activities are managed holistically. The Plan aims to promote coherence in ocean-related activities within multiple sector plans and ensure that they are used in an environmentally responsible, economically beneficial, and socially equitable way.
  • Why did the Government of Samoa develop the MSP?
    The Plan was developed to address the many challenges facing Samoa’s ocean and to balance ocean activities by designating specific zones for each use, minimizing conflicts, and optimizing the use of space without overexploitation. The Plan was also developed as it is one of thirteen Samoa Ocean Strategy Integrated Management Solutions (IMS) to address factors that threaten the integrity and health of Samoa’s marine environment. The Samoa Ocean Strategy is a national policy framework that seeks to sustainably manage Samoa’s vast ocean and marine resources for the well-being of all Samoans. It aims to achieve 30% full marine protection and 100% sustainable management of Samoa’s ocean. Implementing the Plan contributes to sustaining ocean health, preserving ecosystem services, and achieving socio-economic priorities. It also supports Samoa’s global commitment to the 30x30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of Samoa's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030.
  • Who was involved in the development of the Marine Spatial Plan?
    The Plan was developed by the people of Samoa for the people of Samoa. It underwent extensive community consultations in all 52 electoral districts in Savaii, Upolu, and Manono Island. All relevant sectors, including the fishing industry, were also heavily consulted. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), with guidance from the National Ocean Steering Committee (NOSC) and in partnership with relevant ministries across the Government of Samoa, Conservation International, the Waitt Institute, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organizations (SUNGO), led the Marine Spatial Planning process from 2019 to 2024. A Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Working Group was established to oversee the development of the Plan. The MSP Working Group members were represented by: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Ministry of Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services (MOPPC) Ministry of Women, Community Service and Development (MWCSD) Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) Samoa Ports Authority (SPA) Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations Inc. (SUNGO) Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) National University of Samoa (NUS) Conservation International (CI) Waitt Institute (WI) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations Inc (SUNGO)
  • How was the Samoa Marine Spatial Plan developed?
    Between 2019 and 2024, the Government of Samoa conducted a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven, and science-based planning process to create a Marine Spatial Plan (the Plan) for its marine waters. This process, guided by the Samoa Ocean Strategy, incorporated traditional knowledge, cultural values, and the latest biodiversity, economic, and biophysical data. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) led the effort. The Plan was initially developed using ecological and biological data to identify conservation hotspots, prioritizing areas for protection. It then underwent extensive consultations with national stakeholders, including academic institutions, the tourism and fisheries sectors, and local communities from 2021 to 2022. More than 1,500 individuals were consulted through 96 workshops across 185 coastal village communities during these phases. Feedback from national consultations was incorporated into the Plan to ensure stakeholder input. The goal was to achieve ecological representation, reduce user conflict, and meet conservation objectives while balancing development and sustainable management. As a result of consultations with government ministries, non-governmental organizations, key sectors, and communities, the Plan was finalized. It establishes a Marine Protected Area network. The nine new Marine Protected Areas cover 35,712 km², effectively protecting 30% of Samoa’s waters. These areas were strategically chosen to balance conservation goals, minimize human-use conflicts, and protect vital marine habitats and geomorphological features. The Plan also incorporates existing Marine Spatial Plan Zones, including Samoa’s National Marine Sanctuary (protecting sharks, rays, turtles, and marine mammals), the Domestic Alia Fleet's exclusive access zone (12–24 nautical miles), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) areas, Community Marine Protected Areas, Community Conservation Areas, and Fish Reserves.
  • How was the Fishing Community consulted?
    In addition to community consultations, key sectors were engaged for ongoing consultations. These key sectors included fisheries, tourism, government ministries and organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society organisations (CSOs). From 2019 to 2024, MNRE worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and key stakeholders in the fishing industry to ensure the alignment of conservation objectives with the interests of these sectors, especially concerning the proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in offshore waters. Through regular consultations and meetings, a collaborative approach was adopted. MNRE and MAF engaged in continuous dialogue with the fisheries sector to review and refine the proposed MPA network. This process allowed adjustments to the MPA locations to minimise conflicts with commercial fishing activities. These efforts helped balance conservation goals and the goals of the fishing industry.
  • Who will be impacted by the Marine Spatial Plan?
    The Marine Spatial Plan will benefit all Samoans, particularly communities that rely on the ocean for their livelihoods. In particular, the Plan benefits tourism, fisheries, and other ocean-based industries and future generations by safeguarding the ocean's biodiversity.
  • What are the benefits of the Marine Spatial Plan?
    The Marine Spatial Plan (the Plan) supports Samoa’s culture, tradition, sustainable fisheries, tourism, and other marine-based industries by balancing Samoa’s ability to harness its marine resources while safeguarding critical ecosystems. Additionally, the Plan promotes the long-term sustainability of Samoa’s marine environment, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the ocean’s resources. The Plan also helps to maintain the cultural heritage of Fa’a Samoa, which encompasses traditional practices like fishing, crafting, and medicine. By protecting these cultural ties, the Plan reinforces the importance of the ocean to Samoan identity and way of life. Economically, the Plan can support seafood security and improve the availability of fish stocks in community fishing areas, particularly through the spillover effects of biodiversity from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). MPAs play a vital role in protecting biodiversity, endangered species, and the resilience of marine ecosystems.
  • What comes next?
    The Government of Samoa will continue collaborating with partners and communities to adapt the Marine Spatial Plan as needed. The Plan is designed as an adaptive framework that will evolve in response to new knowledge, changing environmental conditions, and emerging human activities. It will become legally operational pending the passage of necessary legislation. The next step, following the passage of the legislation, is to implement the Plan. The Plan outlines the government's responsibilities for its implementation. In the coming months, additional details will be developed regarding the government's role in overseeing the Plan's administration. This will ensure the incorporation of new knowledge and continued engagement with communities and stakeholders.
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