Replanting of the degraded Vaiusu Bay to improve the mangrove ecosystem biodiversity for food security and also to protect the community from storm surges (WSM/OP3/Y2/06/47)

Project Details & Results

Vaiusu village mangrove is the most highly degraded mangrove area in Samoa. The growing population of families living along the coastal area has either reclaimed much of the mangrove or the areas have been used as a dumpsite for village disposal of municipal waste.

- Mangrove is highly degraded with poor ecosystem conditions
- Most of the mangrove has been cut down by people, causing increase erosion of coastal lands along Vaiusu village bay
- Low income families living near the mangrove depend on the ecosystem for much of their subsistence living, from fishing mud crabs, collecting edible sea shells etc. However the high intoxicated waste being dump their can pose a threat to health of people depending on food from mangrove for consumption
- High level of fish decline in the area due to much destruction and deterioration from development impacts.
The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate and restore the mangrove ecosystem to improve biodiversity condition of the ecosystem, and to provide a barrier from storm surges, as well as to increase the number of fish species and mollusks to a healthy status for better food consumption by local people in the village. The objectives of the project are as follows;

Goal: The overall goal of the project is the replanting of the mangrove area along the whole of Vaiusu Bay, as part of a large restoration project, which is intended to cover the neighboring villages of Vaigaga. The project will be the largest mangrove rehabilitation for Samoa to restore and improve biodiversity condition of the existing Vaiusu village mangrove area.

General objectives:
1. To develop a long-term management - plan for the community on ways to sustainably manage their mangrove resources, without destroying it,
2. To replant about 5 acres of mangrove all along Vaiusu Village behind the houses of families in the village residing along the coast,
3. The restoration and replanting of the mangrove ecosystem in the village of Vaiusu, will be come a national conservation area for protection, given its potential natural benefits;
4. To build capacity and educational awareness programmes for the village community so that everyone in the village from young children to adults can understand and help protect the mangrove ecosystem and its valuable uses;
5. To develop income-generating activities through marketing trainings for the village people, who have different skills in handicrafts, collecting seashells, fishing etc;
6. Preparation of project reporting, management and monitoring of implementation of activities.
***** PROJECT UPDATE: Project currently under execution. Waiting for UNOPS notification for release of 3rd tranche*****

Notable Community Participation
Whole the village
Women's Committee
Village Council
Young Women

Capacity - Building Component
Seminars - for women
Workshop trainings on planting mangrove for the community

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Income generating activities

Gender Focus
Women and Men

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Everyone is indigenous

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Environmental Education

Opening of Vaiusu Mangrove Project -