SAMOA Strengthening Capacity for:

Ecological gap- 5 (data sets almost complete and preliminary analysis) Opportunity Challenge Needs Funding (CEPF, JICA) Threatened Species Presence Rapid assessment of IUCN Red List Species and species of Local Concern Taxonomic gaps Nationwide assessments of coral, sea grass and algae population (plants, land snails, flying foxes) Species distribution population size unidentified Assess key species distribution population and threats Spatial Data Gaps Research in data deficient area – especially Savaii, marine habitat mapping Awareness campaign on Protected Areas Lack of community awareness the Protected areas effectiveness Design an awareness campaign to promote the success of Protected Areas To learn from other countries successes (Palau, Fiji) Lack of experience designing protected area networks Exchange personnel with other countries, learning network Implementation of Work Government Of Samoa Need to prioritize their concerns on the Environmental issues raised. Proc fish report should have these information Presence of fin fish Proc fish report Samoa had the first National Park in the South Pacific in 1978 (O le Pupu e) The status of the Ecological Gap in Samoa is ranged nuber 5, we have been doing some surveys but still need more to be done, so data sets almost complete and prelimainary analysis These are the Opportunities , Challenges and Needs we have to address on our Ecological Gap Analysis side. (Read off slide) However one of the BIGGEST challenges we face as Environmentalists stressing the importance of Conservation, is that its really hard trying to implement our work because their seems to be less support from our Government in these areas. The funding is basically the drive for the Government to be involved in everything where as the real meaning for this funding is for enhancing work on Conservation and PAs.

Sustainable Finance-4 (initial progress on gathering data). Opportunity Challenge Needs Funding (CEPF, JICA, GEF) .Government of Samoa Use funds of wisely Unresolved conflict between customary land ownership, government land ownership and conservation goals Address the importance of Conservation Goals for the future, NOT just for today…” Two Samoans initiative Low capacity to non existent Capacity-building Awareness Campaign on Protected Areas Lack of awareness Design an awareness campaign Not valued To value the in-kind contribution of communities The other Opportunities are as follows… Capacity Building to do conservation research, governance and management, provision of vital and relevant information to assist communities in acceptance of such project. Lack of Awareness among decision makers and the general public. As American Samoan is under the USA this is a good opportunity to seek funding from AS to design On their role and value of protected areas

Management effectiveness-4 (initial progress on gathering data) Opportunity Challenge Needs To get legal advice from SPREP and IUCN on Legal instruments for PA management Not one PA area is formerly gazetted Review new Legislation in relation to the Management Bill on PAs JICA (National Park Capacity Building Project) Few Management Plans Develop Mgmt Plan for all PAs Limited Resources Provide enough resources for managing PAs Lack of awareness and appreciation from the Government & communities Public Awareness Programmes for the country leaders, Communities and schools etc Lack of information on the Values of the assets that are available (ecosystem services…etc) Assessment by research economist Community engagement on such Projects Terrestrial PAs on Govt Lands don’t capture areas of highest biological values (KBA / IBA) To develop community conservation areas that captures areas of highest biological values Lack of alternative income sources / generations To develop alternative opportunities Capacity Building to do conservation research, governance and management, provision of vital and relevant information to assist communities in acceptance of such project. Lack of Awareness among decision makers and the general public. As American Samoan is under the USA this is a good opportunity to seek funding from AS to design On their role and value of protected areas