The continuous overharvesting of marine resources has resulted in declining stocks. Employment of fishing methods that can be destructive as well as pollution have added to the degradation of both the resources and the environment in which these marine animals live, reproduce and feed. Certain marine animals have become victims of certain development, yet they are not targeted. These animals form important part of our heritage and biodiversity of our environment, and yet some may face the possibility of becoming threatened with extinction if not protected now. Some of the marine animals in Samoa that are not sufficiently protected include whales, dolphins, turtles and sharks.
The drastic declines in these particular migratory species throughout the world via uncontrolled overfishing and bycatch has led to the realization that more efforts are necessary to safeguard the populations and numbers of these species. One of the effective methods of conserving marine life is by establishing a marine sanctuary that puts into place strong legislative frameworks for the conservation and the sustainable use of these species.
A National Marine Sanctuary will fill the gaps in existing marine resource protections and complement regulations already in place. Within a sanctuary, scientific research, monitoring, and education programmes are created to promote public awareness, understanding, appreciation and to foster a marine ethic of conservation and marine stewardship. In addition, a lucrative environment-friendly industry can be developed, e.g. whale and shark watching.
The sanctuary is always sensitive to the need to balance protection with multiple uses. Marine sanctuaries can encompass deep ocean gardens, nearshore coral reefs, marine animal migration corridors, breeding and feeding grounds and even underwater archeological sites.
The sanctuary can be established in Samoa through consultation with relevant stakeholders, review of current legislation and regulations, research and awareness and the development of a management plan.
Progress reports
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Other (please specify): Marine Sanctuary
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Compliance, monitoring and enforcement
- Reduction and elimination fishing practices and gear that destroy/degrade marine habitat
- Science-based fisheries management plans
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
- Reduction of fisheries by-catch and product waste/losses
- Market-based instruments (Individually Traded Quotas, Vessel Day Schemes, etc.)
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Type of commitment
- Multiple use marine protected area
- Locally or community managed marine areas
- MPA management and/or enforcement
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
August 2019
Endorse the SPREP Regional Action Plan for Marine Species for whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks and dugongs
June 2017
The completion of the first research into sharks and rays in Samoa.
November 2018
The development of a marine species management plan
November 2019
Review of the National Marine Wildlife Protection Regulation 2009 to incorporate arising issues for the protection, conservation and management of sharks, whales, dolphins and turtles.
Staff / Technical expertise
The MNRE and MAF will provide national and technical staff to implement the deliverables
Staff / Technical expertise
The SPREP/PEW will work with MNRE to provide technical support and expertise, capacity building and support in securing funds for the delivery and implementation of Samoas commitments
In-kind contribution
The YCAN will work with the MNRE to provide their time and assistance in the implementation of the deliverables
