Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem in Moataa Village (refer to file WSM/OP#/01/05/42 for grant planning and full planning documentation) (WSM/OP3/01/05/02)

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Project Details & Results

Moata'a Village is located near the town of Apia, the village has a mangrove area. This mangrove ecosystem is the last of the many mangroves that used to exist within the town area of Apia but all have been reclaimed for developments. The mangrove of Moata'a have been thought to present the last stance of mangrove in the Apia townarea. Of all the mangrove ecosystems found in Samoa, the Moata'a mangrove is considered to be the most affected by developments. Reference to previous studies conducted in the area showed (1997); the reclamation of mangroves for an aborted Hotel project in the Taumesina region (north of the proposed conservation site) decreased the total area occupied by mangrove from 9.1 hectares to 5 hectares from 1970 to 1990 (approximately 45%).

According to the Legal System and the Lands and Environment Act 1989 all wetland areas, freshwater resources and where the watermark starts these areas belong to government. However, in terms of enforcement of law the village by-laws and traditional system of land ownership is more enforceable and observed.

Project Goal:
This project is aimed initially at raising the awareness of the villagers of Moataa about the blight of the mangroves. By declaring the mangrove area as a conservation site, it would be allowed to grow back, bringing back food species etc, as well as revenue to preserve this site for future generations of Moataa and Samoa.

***** PROJECT UPDATE: Project is currently on-going the delay is due to the slow progress of the grantee WC. The recent status is for the grantee to submit a development consent application to PUMA regarding the walkway they are requesting to build along the mangrove for community use. They have submitted a report, but PUMA advise that they have not approved any consent application because they need a new application. Community said waiting for IPA to conduct an EIA or PEA first than they can submit application. Second tranche is with-hold until this issue is resolved. Need MOA Amendment ******

Notable Community Participation
This project is spearheaded by the Women's Coommittee of Moata'a Village with the full consent of the Village Council of Chiefs. The youth group in the community are heavily involved in the project, especially those members of the community who are returning graduates. The benefit of this is to make use of their own people with technical expertise to help women implement the project. The community Congregation Church supports the project and the church hall is the meeting place for everyone in the village involved in the project

Capacity - Building Component
The grant given to the community supported group workshops for the village to raise awareness on the importance of the mangrove

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Strong emphasis on sustainable livelihoods through; - replanting of mangrove to increase breeding of mangrove marine species - revive income generating activities to promote selling of handicrafts and promote cultural significant sites within mangrove ecosystem. This helps them with getting some incentive to sustain the project and support the community's subsistence living

Gender Focus
All relevant groups are heavily involved in the project

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Majority of people within the community are indigenous people

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The project promotes GEF awareness and the importance of local and national efforts to protect the environment. Collectively this efforts will make everyone aware of the significane of the global environment

Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The community is planning towards complete the planning grant and submit a major proposal to SGP for the expansion of the project to implement important areas to improve mangrove ecosystem. The long term the Community is looking at partnership with the local Tourism Authority for small scale eco-tour site visit to the mangrove.

Project Results
The Pilot Project to Conserve the Mangrove Ecosystem of Moata'a Village has reached the following outcomes; 1 - proponents has completed the preparation of a full project proposals for the conservation of the mangrove site 2 - village is willing to prepare local policy that should be enforced under the village council authority on the management of the mangrove site 3 - site is to be declare as a conservation area, once all necessary activities are completed to sustain the project site 4 - CBO has opened up to partners with various agencies such as; government departments technical support