Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa has a wealth of organizations across many sectors which have a focus on invasive species management, SPREP’s Invasive Species Adviser David Moverley said after he led a team visit to the territory hosted by the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA).

The SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program) visit commenced with a stakeholders meeting consist of members from the American Samoa Invasive Species Committee (ASISC) and the Biosecurity Leadership Team, such groups comprise of various government entities with objectives linked to invasive species management in the territory. The stakeholder’s meeting provided the SPREP visitors with the state of affairs on how the territory manages invasive species. This was also an opportunity for American Samoa to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of its operations in order for SPREP to characterize the appropriate technical guidance suitable for the territory.

The stakeholder’s meeting was followed by individual meetings and site visits between PRISMSS and each respective agency for the week.

SPREP’s Invasive Species Adviser Moverley, who led the visit, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in this effort, he added “American Samoa has a wealth of organizations across many sectors which have a focus on invasive species management.

“Collaboration and cooperation are paramount to not only managing invasive species effectively but also to ensure such actions are supported throughout the communities and at higher agency and political levels.”

In addition, the visit focused on potential technical assistance for American Samoa in biosecurity.

AS-EPA Director Lefega Fa’amao Asalele Jr credited SPREP’s visit as a milestone for the territory.

Director Lefega expressed his utmost gratitude to SPREP for the opportunity to engage with American Samoa on matters related to invasive species.

He added, “As SPREP’s focal point in American Samoa, AS-EPA is committed to work in collaboration with the secretariat, to leverage resources in improving invasive species management in American Samoa.

“This is the first of a series of meetings between SPREP and local partners, to strengthen our capacity development, and to further enhance our commitment in invasive species management, in support of the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent.”

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) program is a fundamental objective of the Invasive Species initiative, under the Island and Oceans Ecosystems priority of the secretariat. Under the priority, SPREP provides regional leadership and technical guidance in maximizing and integrating multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and regional environmental frameworks.

For more information, please contact the AS-EPA at 633-2304 or info@epa.as.gov