Our Team
The Independent State of Samoa has partnered with the Waitt Institute through the Blue Prosperity Coalition and Conservation International to protect 30% of its ocean area and support the implementation of the Samoa Ocean Strategy (SOS). The SOS will continue to build partnerships with local, regional and international partners to accomplish the complex tasks outlined in the SOS for the protection of Samoa’s ocean and building sustainable blue economies.
Danita Strickland
Marine Programme Manager | Conservation International
Danita Strickland is from Samoa and is working as the Marine Programme Manager with Conservation International Pacific Island Programme based in Samoa. In this role she helps support the Samoa Ocean Strategy.
She has an academic background in geography from the University of Otago in New Zealand and conservation and development from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. Her dissertation focused on evaluating the performance of Samoa's first national multi-sectoral project addressing land degradation.
Danita has also completed the Pacific Island Conservation Co-management Course at the University of the South Pacific. Her research there explored the underlying factors and values that move individuals to engage in ocean management through marine protected areas.
PROGRAM PARTNERS
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PROGRAM GOVERNANCE
The National Ocean Steering Committee (NOSC) is established to provide high level advisory role and decision making in the coordination and implementation of all thematic areas and integrated management solutions for the SOS.
Members
1. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE)
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
3. Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
4. Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI)
5. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)
6. Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
7. Ministry of Police (MOP)
8. Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (SUNGO)
Observers
A body or agency who is not a NOSC member may be represented at the meeting by observers who shall have the right to participate in an advisory role in the plenary sessions, but not to engage in any decision making.
1. National University of Samoa (NUS)
2. Conservation International (CI)
3. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)