WS001
Aleipata Marine Protected Area


Country/territory: Samoa

IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 4,579 hectares (45.79 km2)

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2010 not assessed medium medium
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site description (2010 baseline)
This site follows the boundaries of the Aleipata MPA which includes the outer islands and the inshore reef of the Aleipata district. The site comprises 4 small islands off the coast of Aleipata all of which have lowland rainforest ecosystems. An extensive intertidal zone provides a feeding site for migrant seabirds, while there is also a mangrove forest.

Key biodiversity
This site is of critical importance as a major site for nesting seabirds, although counts of numbers present have not yet been attained. In additioan it is home to a number of globally threatened terrestrial species.

Non-bird biodiversity: The site is a major nesting site for the hawksbill turtle, while the MPA is a foraging ground for green turtles and humpback whales.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aleipata Marine Protected Area (Samoa). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aleipata-marine-protected-area-iba-samoa on 23/12/2024.