Scientists survey Samoa’s newly protected ocean areas

By Ron Rocky Coloma

Scientists are beginning a four-week survey of Samoa’s waters to establish a baseline for managing newly protected marine areas that now cover 30 percent of the country’s ocean.

The expedition, led by National Geographic Pristine Seas in partnership with Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, will examine marine life in reef, open-ocean and deepwater habitats. Researchers also plan to study areas outside the protected zones to understand how marine ecosystems are connected.

The work follows Samoa’s implementation in April of a national Marine Spatial Plan intended to sustainably manage all of the country’s waters. The plan established nine new offshore marine protected areas and formalized a network of coastal community protected areas.

Together, the protected areas cover about 36,000 square kilometers of ocean.

“Samoa has taken an important step by bringing its Marine Spatial Plan into effect, but effective ocean management must be supported by strong scientific information," Prime Minister and acting Natural Resources and Environment Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said.

“This expedition responds directly to research priorities identified by Samoa and will strengthen our understanding of biodiversity within our new marine protected areas, as well as the ecological connections across our wider ocean.

The findings will provide an important baseline for long-term monitoring and help guide effective implementation and management of our (Marine Special Plan).”

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Samoa endorsed the legal adoption of the plan in 2025 after several years of consultations involving communities, government agencies and other stakeholders. Schmidt signed an executive order putting it into effect in April.

The expedition is expected to help fill gaps in what is known about some of the newly protected waters. Researchers will examine offshore seamounts in the Toamoana marine protected area, deep reef slopes north of Savai'i and inshore waters around Upolu and Savai'i.

“Local communities have extensive knowledge of the waters we’ll research and are essential partners in designing this expedition,” said Tye Kindinger, scientific lead for the Pristine Seas expedition.

Samoa’s waters support a diverse range of marine life. As many as 991 fish species, about 2,000 species of sea snails and 200 coral species have been recorded, according to Pristine Seas.

The country also sits along migration routes used by endangered humpback whales and other threatened whale species. Endangered hawksbill sea turtles nest on Samoan beaches and breed in the surrounding waters.

Researchers aboard the Pristine Seas vessel Argo will use several methods to document that biodiversity, including scuba surveys, deep-sea cameras and floating video systems. Scientists will also survey seabirds and collect environmental DNA, or eDNA, from the water.

Environmental DNA allows researchers to identify organisms through genetic material they leave behind, potentially detecting species that are not directly observed.

Scientists and Samoan partners will also use the Argonauta submersible to explore deeper waters, including the ocean’s “twilight zone.” The vessel is equipped with water and mud samplers, imaging sonar and an underwater viewing system.

The research is expected to give Samoa information that can be used to monitor changes in its protected areas and evaluate how its Marine Spatial Plan is working.

“By prioritizing protection of the ocean—a valuable asset—they are safeguarding their cultural heritage, food supplies and local economies,” said Paul Rose, Pristine Seas expedition leader.

The expedition also includes education and filmmaking. Pristine Seas filmmakers plan to document marine biodiversity and communities’ relationships with the ocean, while following the Samoa Voyaging Society as its traditional voyaging canoe is used as a floating classroom.

Samoa’s Ministry of Education and Culture and Pristine Seas are also working on ocean education initiatives. A workshop held in Apia earlier this week brought together educators and education ministries from six countries to develop curriculum resources and receive training in environmental DNA analysis.

The scientific work comes as countries face a 2030 target under the global biodiversity framework to conserve at least 30 percent of the world’s land, inland waters and marine and coastal areas.

“By incorporating science into their Marine Spatial Planning implementation process, they are ensuring that the biodiversity they have protected is studied and understood to support future monitoring and management efforts, including strengthening of protection,” said Kevin Chand, Pristine Seas’ senior director of Pacific Ocean policy.

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