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.

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".