Fishing Activity

Participants were divided into 3 groups and a package of a string and 100 fishes cut from papers were given to the groups.  The string represents the no take mpa and the fishes represent the benefit from the mpa after Spillover.  Spillover is when fish reproduce and multiply in numbers (Abundance) and the area can't fit no more, so fishes come outside of the mpa and some stay inside of the mpa because they are territorial animals.  There are 3 rounds and 10 seconds each, each participant should put their left arm behind them and use their right arm to fish with like a fishing pole.  After each round the different groups should count fishes inside and outside of the mpa.  They key of the activity is managing how you fish, take fish according to what people can consume, not over fishing.  

Sione with the no-take mpa presentation

Sione with the no-take mpa program with the presentation on the different types of mpa in American Samoa, the benefits of having an mpa and why mpa's are important.  There was a fishing activity after the presentation.  It is an example to the community that you can only fish outside of the marine protected area but not inside the no take.  Swimming, Research and Diving is only allowed in this area. Destructive fishing methods was another topic that the community talked about.

Tafito with the opening remarks

Tafito Aitaoto the leader of the No-Take MPA Program is starting off the outreach with his opening remarks to the community of Faga'alu.  Thanks to Peter Taliva'a with the Marine Debris and Education Division in DMWR for assisting the no-take mpa during this outreach.  Posters, Brochures, Newsletters, and Stickers were left over for the community to take so they would understand more about the mpa program.

Faga'alu Community at No-Take MPA Program Outreach

Member of the Faga'alu village during an outreach by the No-Take MPA Program in the Department Of Marine and Wildlife Resources.  Approximately 40 people attended the outreach along with the mayor of the village of Faga'alu Mr. Uso Lago'o.  Thanks to the mayor for a job well done contacting the community to participate the outreach, because during the Planning of their Watershed Action Plan the committee agreed to have a marine protected area in their village.  DMWR is waiting for the village council to discuss the issue and then they will contact Tafito Aitaoto the leader for the program for the next step.