Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) Informational Booth

Tee Jay Letalie and Mika Letuane with their FAD booth during the Fish and Wildlife Expo on November 22, 2013. Displayed were FAD posters that explained the difference between Industrial FADs and Artisanal FADs.  They also displayed fishing gears that are used near deep water FADs, Off Shore FADs and Near Shore FADs and maps to show people where in American Samoa are FADs deployed.   These types of aggregation devices can attract Yellow fin Tuna,  Skip Jack, Rainbow Runner, Mahi Mahi and Blue Marlin.

BioSampling Informational Booth

Sa'olotoga Tofaeono and Auva'a So'onaolo extracting otolith and gonad to determine fish growth and life history of the fish. Sa'olotoga also mentioned that they've been doing this project for almost 3 years now and they've measured and cut up close to a 100, 000 fish, the data is sent off to Hawaii for analyzing.

Enforcement Informational Booth

Peter Eves and Mundey Ah Ching along with their informational booth during the Fish and Wildlife Expo on November 22, 2013.  Displayed were life vest for safety when using a jet ski or boat and even when swimming from shore and some of the illegal fishing gears that were confiscate from fishermen; fish electrocute machine.

PALS week wave at Utulei on November 19, 2013

Auva'a, Chey, Krishna and Sa'ia with their banner that reads Welcome To Our Fish & Wildlife Expo.

Sione, Foga and Salefu with their banner that reads Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources

Avele, Ben and Tovine with their banner that reads "O Le A Sou Sao Mo A Taeao-Puipui, Fa'asao ma Fuafua le Tamaoaiga mo le Lumana'i".

Selaina, Wesley, Leilani, Peter, Tusi, Sitivi, Hanipale, Auva'a, Chey and Dereik with their banners during the PALS week activities.  Thanks to Gwen and Trevor for photos..

People, Air, Land and Sea (PALS) Week Wave

On November 19, 2013 the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency had a wave at Utulei.  Staffs of both agencies were there to support the effort to wave at people of American Samoa.The theme for DMWR this week is "Our Island, Our Resources, Our Life".  

American Samoa National Park Service’s Super Intended James Bacon also signs the agreement because the area that is going to be a no take zone is part of the national park.  Thanks for National Park Services with working collaboratively with the village of Fagasa and the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources to preserve and protects American Samoa's resources.

Lupefa'alele Tua the mayor of the village of Fagasa signing the agreement to establish a No-Take MPA in Fagasa.

 Atuatasi Talosaga a High Talking Chief that represented the village council of Fagasa signing the agreement.

Atuatasi Ieremia another High Talking Chief that represented the village of Fagasa signing the agreement.

Director of the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources

Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga signing the agreement to establish a no take marine protected area in the village of Fagasa on October 29, 2013.  She mentioned that this is a milestone since her time here working with the department.  The village of Fagasa are willing to work together with the department on managing their marine resources for future generations and the people of American Samoa.

Water Samples analyze by Dr. Don Vargo at American Samoa Community College Land Grant

This is a photo that was taken under a microscope by Dr. Don Vargo at American Samoa Community College Land Grant.  Water samples have been sent off to Dr. Steve Morton, head of the Marine Biotoxins Program based in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Morton identified it as Prorocentrum micans.  

Red Tide Algae Bloom in Pago Pago Harbor

On October 17, 2013 this photo was taken from the FIFA Soccer Field in Pago Pago of an Algal Bloom. The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources collected water samples from within the harbor and outside the Fagaloa area for further research.  Studies have shown that a large bloom of this species usually occurs with the combination of high levels of phosphate.  This plankton or tiny marine algae is usually brown red at the beginning when it blooms followed by a black brown color at the final stage.

            

      Microscope photograph of the Ceratium furca dinoflagellate samples in Pago Pago Harbor