Safata

Safata Marine Protected Area is one of Samoa's two district-level marine protected areas, on the south coast of Upolu^[1]. It protects coral reef and mangrove ecosystems^[1].

The Safata rules ban harvesting turtles and their eggs, and harming whales and dolphins^[2]. They prioritise no-take zones to help recovery of helmet shells, trochus, turbo shells and clams^[2].

Mangrove forests are a particular feature of Safata, and the plan treats them as a special biodiversity priority^[2]. Mangrove clearance is banned without prior written approval from the village endorsed by the District Committee^[2].

The protected area lies on the south coast of Upolu^[1].

Samoa has a tropical oceanic climate, with heavy rain and cyclones mostly from November to April^[3]. Safata was severely affected by the 2009 tsunami^[1].

The area is managed through a partnership between the Government of Samoa and the district's villages, built on traditional village and district authority^[2].

Safata is one of the two district MPAs, with Aleipata^[1]. The Aleipata and Safata MPA Trust Society received a small grant after the 2009 tsunami to assess recovery of the reef and mangroves, but the project was terminated before completion^[1].

The attractions are the reefs and mangroves of the Safata coast, which can be visited with an agreement between tour operators and the MPA^[2].

The MPA lies on Upolu's south coast, with Sa'anapu about 5 km from its centre. Tour operators need an agreement with the MPA that includes paying tourism charges^[2].

Fishing with dynamite, poisons, cyanide, small-mesh nets and fish traps is banned, as is introducing further tilapia^[2]. Control of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks is among the commitments^[2]. The 2009 tsunami recovery project aimed to re-mark no-take areas and remove crown-of-thorns starfish^[1].