The Department Of Marine & Wildlife Resources

The Department Of Marine & Wildlife Resources

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Summer - time to explore



The school year has come to an end and it's time to finally enjoy the summer months.  Invest in a mask and snorkel set at Cost-U-Less (<$40), Tropik Traders or Samoa Sports and explore the beauty of marine life that surrounds our islands.  We live on an island where your front and back yard is the Pacific Ocean.  Ever heard of the Hawaiian fish, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a?  Yes, we have it here.  Locally, it's called a sumu and commonly known as the Wedgetail Triggerfish.  See the manini (Convict tang, Acanthurus triostegus) in action, swimming in a school along our reef.  It would be unlikely for you to come out of the water without sighting our alogo (Blue-lined surgeonfish, Acanthurus lineatus).  Explore the diversity of our corals that shelter and provide food for our local fish.  The corals protect our coastlines and have endured high temperatures from Climate Change.  Although, some coral species aren't as resilient as others around the island.  Join canoe paddling in the evening at the DDW (Don't Drink the Water) in Utulei.  If you aren't comfortable in the water or don't know how to swim, contact the American Samoa Swimming Association for lessons.  The weather has finally cleared up so enjoy the sun and go swimming!

Alogo
Blue-lined Surgeonfish, A. lineatus
Sumu
Wedgetail Triggerfish, R. rectangulus
Hawaii's Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Manini
Convict tang, A. triostegus



Coral reef in Faga'alu