Samoa marks World Ocean Day with documentary

Photo: Junior S. Ami

Apia, Samoa — On World Ocean Day, Conservation International Samoa (CI), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS)  co-hosted over 100  students, government, Industry representatives, communities, partners and members of the public for  a special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough, a film that explores the importance of the Earth’s ocean, diving into the wonder, urgency and hope of our blue planet. The screening was supported by the Waitt Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Artesano Productions, and Apollo Cinemas.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate not only the ocean that surrounds and sustains Samoa, but also the many individuals, communities, organizations, and partners who dedicate their efforts in protecting it. 

A key message throughout the event was the importance of passing on knowledge and stewardship to future generations. Samoa Voyaging Society President Leota Donna Ioane reflected on the wisdom of Samoa’s ancestors stating “We learned from the practices of our ancestors. Now, it is up to us as Guardians and Keepers of Wayfinding to show our young people how to care for the ocean, as soon, it will be theirs to protect”

The celebration also highlighted Samoa’s leadership in ocean conservation. In 2025, the Government of Samoa adopted the Samoa Marine Spatial Plan (MSP), developed in consultation with 185 coastal villages across Samoa and will manage and protect Samoan waters for the next 10 years.

Under this plan, nine areas of Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or 30% of its waters, are fully protected, and 100% of Samoa’s ocean is being sustainably managed. These provisions will help marine life recover, such as coral, and support the growth of fish populations, resulting in healthier ecosystems, stronger food security, and more resilient coastal communities.

Le’ausalilo Leilani Duffy, Technical Director of Conservation International emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared “CI is proud to support the Government of Samoa and the people of Samoa in implementing the Samoa Ocean Strategy and the Marine Spatial Plan. If there is one thing oceans teach us, it is that we are all interconnected, and working together in genuine partnership is a necessity to successfully manage, protect and sustainable use our ocean”.

As Samoa moves from planning to implementation of the Marine Spatial Plan, organizers emphasized that the success of the plan will depend on the continued support and participation of communities, stakeholders and all Samoans. Reflecting on the community-led approach that shaped the Plan, Su’emalo Tumutalie Fologa, ACEO or the Division of Environment and Conservation noted “This plan was not built in a room. More than 3,500 people across 185 coastal villages, in every part of our islands, had a say in it. It belongs to all of us.”

The event concluded with a reminder that protecting the ocean is a shared responsibility. As highlighted throughout the screening, the choices we make today will shape the future of our oceans for generations to come: “E manuia ogasami, e manuia lumana’i”, if our ocean is healthy, our future is bright. 

About Ocean with David Attenborough

After seven decades filming every aspect of the natural world, David Attenborough delivers his greatest message of hope in this powerful documentary, which takes viewers on a breath-taking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. In the film, the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery.  Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.

Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching.  Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.

OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures.  The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield and produced by Nowlan. The film is co-produced by Arksen & 10% for the Ocean, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Revive Our Ocean, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.