Samoa Marine Spatial Plan (2025–2035).

The Marine Spatial Plan (2025–2035) establishes Samoa’s national ocean management framework for all 120,000 km² of its waters, aiming to conserve and sustainably manage marine resources in line with the Samoa Ocean Strategy and international biodiversity and climate commitments. It designates nine new fully protected, no‑take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering about 35,710 km², integrates existing spatial management zones, and applies systematic conservation planning tools to guide ocean use. The Plan defines permitted and prohibited activities through an Activity Matrix and sets phased implementation in 2025 and 2027. Overall responsibility lies with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) under the Lands, Surveys and Environment Act 1989, supported by a ten‑year Implementation Plan focused on legislation, governance, financing, monitoring, research and capacity building.