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Information on the Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific

Flooding imposes significant costs on households and businesses located in the lower Vaisigano catchment area. SOPAC, under the European Development Fund (EDF) project Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States, has worked with the Government of Samoa to develop the Samoa Flood Management and Action Plan, which identifies actions for government agencies, the private sector, NGOs and communities responsible for flood and floodplain management that can assist in reducing flood risks in Samoa, particularly in the lower Vaisigano catchment area located in Apia, which is subject to frequent flooding.

The Aleipata Marine Protected (MPA) Management Plan is a partnership between the Government of Samoa and all the villages of the District of Aleipata. Both partners have responsibility for the continuous implementation of this Plan which highlights a collaborative approach to the sustainable use and protection of the Marine resources and environment in the District.

This report presents the findings of a socio-economic study conducted in six coastal villages in Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. From west to east around the Bay the study villages were Kulugi, Guango, Tarobi, Baikakea, Potou and Baea. The central aims of the study were to provide information for the design and implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within Kimbe Bay and to give direction for future marine education and awareness campaigns for Kimbe Bay's communities.

The Mt. Vaea Ecological Restoration Project started in earnest in mid-September 2007, when the Project Management (Conservation International) with the approval of the Implementing Agency, [MNRE, Division of Environment and Conservation (DEC), National Parks and Reserves Section (NPR)], seconded the Project Technical Expert (see TOR appendix A) to initiate and conduct the field work stipulated in the contract. Shortly following, a series of meetings took place which established a core project committee; and identified the key staff, equipment, and materials required; and set a scheduled time frame for the field work to commence.

Prior to this survey, the island nation of Samoa had not been systematically surveyed for freshwater biodiversity despite the clear role of freshwater and the associated biodiversity in providing essential ecosystem services. This report is beginning to address this gap in knowledge in Samoa by presenting the preliminary results from the first of an anticipated series of freshwater surveys and in-field trainings for Samoa with the target organisms being fishes and macro-crustaceans. A two week initial survey and training in the last fortnight of july (2008) was conducted as a collaborative effort led by Wetlands International-Oceania and the Paris National Museum of Natural History and supported by a range of agencies. Materials developed prior to the training and surveys include catchment maps with inferred catchment integrity, a pictorial training and awareness “flashcard” book for common fresh and estuarine fished, identification keys for crustaceans and fishes, two lectures and a CD of compiled material relevant to the identification of taxa and management of freshwater system.