1. SAMOA
Strengthening Capacity for:

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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