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Suva Declaration on Climate Change - Issued at the 3rd PIDF Leaders Summit, 2-4 September 2015, Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, Fiji

This report describes the results of the simulation exercise carried out to test the understandability, relevance, practicality and effectiveness of the Samoa Invasive Species Emergency Response Plan (SISERP) to invasive species emergencies. The exercise was conducted on June 26, 2015 at the MAF Crops Research Centre at Nu'u. A hypothetical invasive species outbreak of the Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) was simulated in the exercise. This exercise allowed the members of the Invasive Species Emergency Response Committee (ISERC) to better understand the proposed SISERP by role playing key roles in the SISERP and to then be able to provide constructive feedback so that the plan can be made most effective, appropriate and relevant to Samoa. Details on the exercise are given in the Exercise Manual at Annex 1 and the Powerpoint Presentation at Annex 2.

Cyclone Dani and cyclone Ella battered the northern island of Espiritu Santo early in 1999. Both cyclones were reported to have resulted in heavy rain and wind damage to the Vatthe Conservation Area. Charles Vatu, Conservation Area Support Officer estimated that about 20% of the rainforest trees in the CA were wind thrown and another 70% branchless. Damage to the ecotourism infrastructure, bungalows and trails and houses in both Sara and Matantas Villages were also reported.

This report presents the results of an ifilele (Intsia bijuga) timber inventory of the Uafato Conservation Area (CA) on Upolu island, Samoa. It provides data on which to base recommendations for the sustainable management of ifilele in the CA. The inventory included a three week field survey of ifilele and a shorter community survey of ifilele harvesting practices in the conservation area.