Samoa - Overview

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Samoa is an independent small island developing state located in the South Pacific region. The country is geologically young and thus its biodiversity is not highly diverse. Nevertheless, isolation of the island contributes to a very high species endemism of over 30%. The vegetation in Samoa is divided into five categories: littoral, wetland, rainforest, volcanic scrub and distributed vegetation... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

There are 10 declared protected areas, 2 of which are marine protected areas, covering 14,000 ha and 10,000 ha respectively.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The total forest area is 105,000 ha, with 100,000 ha of natural forest and 5,000 ha of plantations equaling to 37% of the total land area.

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Samoa aims to increase its protected areas coverage to 15%. During 2000-2005 an additional National park was created (Lake Lanutoo) together with a series of small town reserves. Over 60 locally managed village fisheries reserves are in place around the country. Restoration of two offshore islands is ongoing within an Aleipata District Marine Protected Area management plan... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Samoa’s NBSAP set a target to increase coverage of protected areas to 15% of the land area with all ecosystems represented. Two new national parks were established in 2003. A proposal is being developed for a GEF Medium-sized project to conserve a very large area of threatened lowland and upland forests on Savaii. Mangrove conservation is one of the agreed objectives in the Safata Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2002-06... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

Currently Samoa is implementing a departmental policy ‘Conditions for Access to and Benefit Sharing of Samoa’s Biodiversity Resources’ through its Biosafety and Bioprospecting Policies. Bio-prospecting Regulations were drafted in 2001. Samoa made one landmark agreement in 2004 with the University of California, Berkeley to isolate the gene for a promising anti-AIDS drug Prostatin from the mamala tree (Homalanthus nutans)... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

An action plan has been drafted for facilitating access and benefit sharing of Samoa’s genetic resources and traditional knowledge. This identifies the need for a public awareness and education plan for stakeholders. The consultation undertaken during the drafting of the action plan did increase local understanding of this issue... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

The Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Mr. Taule'ale'ausumal Laavasa Malua	ICNP ABS NFP (ONLY)
Mr. Faleafaga Toni Tipama'a	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Aiono Mose Pouvi Sua

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP