Illegal Fishing - Malakea

It was pouring rain on Saturday so my outdoor plans were forfeited for the day, but while driving through Fagaalu I noticed something interesting and beautiful and disappointing.  I often see the fish vendors' coolers there and sometimes I stop for a fresh fish.  A large and unusual fish put on display caught my eye on this day.  I couldn't resist pulling over and having a closer look.

The fish was lovely and fresh.  It still showed the colors of a live reef fish.  The pouring rain had not yet washed away the mucus that had protected it when it was still living.  I measured the fish with my hands and estimated its size at over one hundred centimeters.  Its vibrant colors, psychedelic patterns, and odd shape were striking.  I lifted it and it certainly weighed over twenty-five pounds. This fish was impressive!

I imagined it chopped into steaks and sliced into fillets, and I imagined that the flavor would be a delicious addition to any feast.  I guessed that such a large fish could feed an entire family several times. Then I imagined the fish swimming, lively on the reef's edge as I have seen them before.  When I saw the fish dead again I was deeply disappointed.  The pouring rain felt like tears of the spirit striking the earth in mourning for the life of this fish.

http://www.photomazza.com/?Cheilinus-undulatus

"Malakea," said the vendor. "...from Tula."  I already knew what the fish was.  Cheilinus undulatus, also known as the humphead wrasse, maori wrasse, or napolian wrasse in English, and lalafi or tagafa in Samoan.  Being a large example, it was a malakea. This fish is historically highly prized for table fare, but has been over fished throughout much of its range.  As a result it is an endangered species and is illegal to catch, kill, or sell.  Possession is punishable by law.

I am a fisherman.  I know the thrill of bringing a large fish to the surface.  I know the reward of eating the fish.  I understand the self-restraint required to swim by this fish without striking it with the spear.  But I would never have killed this fish... not because it's illegal, but because I respect its life and its role on the reef.  I value my role as a steward and protector of creation and life, and I know that Malakea are rare in American Samoan waters and they take many years to grow into adults.  This fish is more valuable to me and to my entire community when it is living and reproducing; enabling its family to grow to abundance.  If we protect this species, it could once again provide a reliable source of protein and income for my family and for yours.

It is illegal and irresponsible to fish, sell, or eat humphead wrasse.  Let the malakea live.

Invasion of the Starfish

The Crown-of-thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci), aka COTS or 'alamea, have been popularly known for killing corals and their poisonous spines. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, large numbers of the starfish were found in the waters of American Samoa and contributed to more than 80% loss of corals in Tututila.  Although considered native, it is normal to see one or two in the village reef.  Therefore, larger numbers ranging in the 10s or 20s would be considered abnormal.  In 1977, an unusually large number of alamea were sighted and led to the removal of 480,000 starfish.  There were still more starfish left on the reef and there was a great impact in fish populations (Buckley, 1986).  It is estimated to take more than 50 years for corals to recover from an outbreak and presently, the coral reefs of American Samoa haven’t completely recovered.

What kind of starfish is this?  It’s a starfish like no other.  No, it doesn’t have five arms and is pretty enough to pick off the reef.  This starfish is can grow up to 21 arms covered with poisonous spines.  They eat coral tissue and can cause serious damage to the coral reefs of our territory.  In 2012, large numbers of ‘alamea were seen on the reef of Tutuila.  Collaborative efforts by the Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources, National Parks of American Samoa, National Marine Sanctuaries of American Samoa and the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Marine Science 

Program to remove the starfish from the reef from 2012 to 2014 have reached 15,000!  Hundreds and thousands of 'alamea were found mostly on the north side of the island of Tutuila, including some of our Village MPAs:  Fagasa and Fagamalo.  

We, Samoans, have always believed that every living thing has a purpose - E tofu meaola ma lona aoga.  Unfortunately, there haven't been any benefits found through research and experience.  Like mentioned before, their spines are poisonous!  

If you ever get stung by a Crown-of-thorns starfish, try to squeeze out the poison and spine from the would using tweezers.  Then soak the wound in hot water (hot enough to endured for a long period) for more than an hour so the venom can decompose.  Be advised, do NOT cover the wound with a band-aid, tape or dressing.  If you experience difficulty breathing or numbness or if the pain and swelling continues, see a doctor as soon as possible.  Although there is a Samoan proverb:  E fofō le 'alamea le 'alamea.  This means you can use the same poisonous starfish to treat the poison.  You carefully turn the 'alamea upside down and place your wound on its tube feet and it will suck out the poison.  I suppose you can say, this is ONE good deed by the starfish. 

The removal of the starfish is still ongoing since the sightings in 2012.  Initially, the removal of the starfish are by the use of spears.  They were collected into wired bins and brought to shore to be measured and killed by having them sundried.  These starfish were at one time, given to farmers to be used as fertilizers on their plantations.  It was a strenuous job to collect and spread them to be killed.  This is no longer practiced since another method has been introduced.  Now, they are being injected by Ox bile, which is a more effective method that has been practiced on the corals of the Great Barrier Reef.  

Efforts in removing this starfish is still ongoing.  Greatest appreciation and gratitude to our collaborative partners in the efforts to eradicate the starfish from our territorial waters. If you see this starfish in your village reef area, contact us at (684) 633-4456.  We will send a team to evaluate the damage and remove as much starfish from your area.   

P.A.L.S Week

The Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources will be opening P.A.L.S Week Celebrations this Friday (Nov. 14, 2014) with the opening of the Floating Dock Marina, across McDonalds in Fagatogo.

In addition there will activities throughout the rest of the week.  Community-based Fisheries Management Program will putting up a booth on Friday (November 21, 2014).  If this is your first (or hundredth) time hearing about our program, we would like to hear from YOU.

If you want to know more, check out the department website:  www.asdmwr.org

More Coral ID fun!

The best part of the Coral ID Workshop with Russell Kelley is the satisfaction of finally breaking through the barriers of identifying corals.  The Coral Finder Toolkit is genius! 

Years of conducting biological monitoring surveys, I have tried my hand at identifying corals, but I have failed.  This is mainly because I have applied the same techniques in identifying fish to corals: color and appearance.  Growth forms are complex as it is so it was easier to do so.  In the end, frustration led to the conclusion that all corals look the same.  Now, there is an adrenaline rush to identifying corals because there is no longer the frustration of saying : it looks like this, but it looks more like this...

The experience to learn corals was enjoyable and it was all thanks to Russell Kelley and Rachel Pears.  Thanks guys!  I'm game to do coral species for the next survey.  Like I said before, the Coral Finder Toolkit is GENIUS!



Coral Identification Capacity Building Program in American Samoa

Russell Kelley is in town!

Russell Kelley is the founder of the Coral Finder Toolkit and is in American Samoa to teach managers and biologists easy ways to identify coral species.  This tool is being introduced in the Coral Finder Toolkit Workshop from September 30 - October 3, 2014.  This workshop is being attended by researchers in the Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources, National Oceonographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG).    

The Community-based Fisheries Management Program (CFMP) has integrated with the No-Take MPA Program to further promote marine conservation and management in village communities of American Samoa.  There are 11 Village Marine Protected Areas, including those that are No-Take MPAs, in American Samoa under the Community-based Fisheries Management Program.

1. Alega
2. Alofau
3. Amanave
4. Amaua & Auto
5. Aoa
6. Fagamalo
7. Fagasa
8. Matu'u & Faganeanea
9. Poloa
10. Sa'ilele
11. Vatia

A Community Monitoring Workshop was conducted on September 16 - 19, 2014 to inform village mayors and representatives of this integration.  In addition, they have been informed of research results and introduced to partners within the department and government that can help with issues that have contributed to the disintegrated state of the marine resources in their villages.

Marine Debris Sculptures that competed during the Fish and Wildlife Expo Fair








1) This sculpture is made out of soda cans, trash bags, plastic bags and newspapers.

2) This sculpture is made out of compact discs, shoes, computer pieces, piano key board, soda cans, newspapers, container cover, card board, bottle caps.

3). This sculpture is made out of card boards, vailima bottle, construction papers, foil, compact disc and light pulps.

No-Take MPA Program Informational Booth

Sione Lam Yuen Jr. presenting to EMS staff about Marine Protected Area around American Samoa that are managed under the government.  He was explaining the benefits of having an MPA, how many years an MPA is close for and what can village people do to help government agencies to manage and protect marine resources for the future.