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.

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.

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".  

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.

Marine Mammal Project with Wildlife Division

Anthony Sagapolutele and Elden Tagarino with their informational booth about marine mammals such as Whales, Turtles and Dolphins that are found in the ocean around American Samoa.  Alden is responsible with any marine mammal stranded and there were DMWR staffs that were trained to be in that Whale Stranded First Responders Team.  Elden also trained Anthony with turtle necropsy to determined how the sea turtle died near the beach of American Samoa.  Anthony Sagapolutele is now getting his B.A. in Marine Science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) Training with William Sokimi, Kerat Rikim and Joe Tiatia from Secretary of Pacific Community (SPC)

Mr. William and Tee Jay explaining why is important to measure how much the nylon rope, polypro and the chain before putting together and attached it to the spar bouy.  This is preparing FAD's for the village of Amanave and Fagasa which is FAD E and F.  Mr. William Sokimi was the same instructor that came in 2012 to conduct a FAD training and deployed FAD A and C in the villages of Aunu'u and Vaitogi.