The Government of Samoa, through its Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), convened an awareness dialogue to strengthen coordination for the implementation of Samoa’s Marine Spatial Plan.
The dialogue brought together Government ministries, implementing agencies and development partners as Samoa transitions from marine spatial planning to coordinated delivery.
Samoa’s ocean planning journey began with the Samoa Ocean Strategy 2020–2030, which established the national vision for a healthy, resilient and sustainably managed ocean. The Samoa Marine Spatial Plan 2025–2035 translated this vision into a spatial and legal framework, while the five-year Implementation Plan now provides the initial roadmap for delivery.
The Marine Spatial Plan supports Samoa’s commitment to sustainably manage 100 percent of its ocean and protect 30 percent through nine new offshore Marine Protected Areas and a formalized coastal MPA network.
Developed through extensive consultation with Government agencies, communities, ocean users, technical experts and development partners, the Plan was designed by Samoa’s people for Samoa’s people.
The Marine Spatial Plan was legally adopted in 2025 and brought into legal effect through the Executive Order signed by the Honourable Prime Minister on 15 April 2026.
“The Plan is adopted and enforceable delivery is now ours,” said MNRE Chief Executive Officer, Lealaisalanoa Frances Reupena Brown.
“We have an Implementation Plan covering the initial five years of the ten-year implementation period. It provides us with a shared roadmap, but its success will depend on how well we work together across our respective mandates.”
“While the support of our partners remains important, national ownership must remain at the heart of implementation,” said Lealaisalanoa. “This is Samoa’s Plan, for Samoa’s ocean and Samoa’s people.”
The Implementation Plan organizes delivery across six connected areas: governance and coordination; research and data; monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement; sustainable ocean finance and the blue economy; legal and policy strengthening; and communication and outreach.
A key focus of the dialogue was strengthening the readiness of implementing agencies for Phase One enforcement of the Marine Protected Area network, which will commence on 16 April 2027.
Participants discussed the people, legal frameworks, systems, operational resources, financing and public awareness required for implementation. They also considered their respective roles and the immediate actions needed before enforcement begins.
MNRE acknowledges Conservation International, the Waitt Foundation, the Bezos Earth Fund, the Blue Nature Alliance and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, together with the Government agencies, communities and stakeholders who have supported the development and implementation of the Plan.