University Of Newcastle Associates with the Village of Moata to save the Mangroves

A recent significant progress occurred in Moana’s Living Lab initiative where the University of Newcastle and the village entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November 2022. This partnership aims to facilitate research and tourism centered around the Samoan Mangrove Ecosystem.

The project, led by Dr Sascha Fuller, Pacific Engagement Coordinator, has been in advancement since last year in association with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, academics from the University of Newcastle and the National University of Samoa.

The alliance for the Moata’a Living Lab project was first designed in 2019 when Professor Alan Broadfoot, Executive Director of NIER visited Samoa to expand collaboration activities in the Pacific region.

The Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships provided seed funding to support Dr Fuller, Associate Professor Troy Gaston, and Associate Professor Bill Leggat from the Coastal and Marine Science Research Group to source equipment to establish the Living Lab.

An initial ecosystem analysis was conducted  by Associate Professor Jose Rodriguez and Associate Professor Patricia Saco from the School of Engineering and a human-mangrove relationship analysis led by Dr Fuller, Professor Sarah Wright from the School of Environmental and Life Sciences and Dr Phoebe Everingham from the Newcastle Business School was undertaken to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the mangrove ecosystem, including livelihood and cultural considerations.

Dr Everingham, on the back of these findings, brought 20 University of Newcastle students to Samoa to attend the MOU signing and follow-up regenerative tourism activities including homestays, cultural programs, mangrove replanting, coral restoration and clean-up days.

In addition to the New Colombo Plan students, three additional University of Newcastle students were in Moata’a for the signing. They are undertaking Work Integrated Learning in business and tourism operations at Taumeasina Island Resort, led by Dr Patricia Johnson from the Newcastle Business School.

Originally Published by: By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi in the Samoa Observer Website.