American Samoa
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1 American Samoa Passive Acoustic Monitoring Site ROSE Rose Atoll
American Samoa Passive Acoustic Monitoring Site ROSE Rose Atoll, American Samoa Ecological Acoustic Recorder (EAR) 14-March-2008 to 16-July-2009 Level 1 Analysis of Passive Acoustic Observations1 Synopsis This document provides a level 1 analysis of the data obtained from ecological acoustic recorder (EAR) unit 9300638B041 deployed at Rose Atoll from March 12th 2008 to March 4th 2010. The EAR unit recorded acoustic data from March 14th 2008 to July 16th 2009. This initial report contains background information about the site, time-series of total acoustic energy, and analyses of event-triggered recordings. Background Monitoring the changing status of coral reef environments and associated biota is a critical management need and a considerable technological challenge, especially on reefs in remote locations. The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), in partnership with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), is using natural ambient sounds as a way to characterize the activity of marine organisms on coral reefs and in surrounding waters. By deploying a device known as the Ecological Acoustic Recorder (EAR), a cost-effective tool for recording biological and anthropogenic sounds, CRED investigates and monitors the presence and activity of sound-producing marine life and human activity. The EAR can be left in place unattended for up to two years, depending on the instrument’s configuration. Passive acoustic observations are typically not compromised by bio-fouling. The EAR records the local ambient acoustic environment on a programmed schedule and is also triggered to record by high amplitude transient events, such as engine noise from passing vessels. -
Bilingual Marine Data Distribution Using Arcims for Coral Reef Conservation
Bilingual Marine Data Distribution Using ArcIMS for Coral Reef Conservation Emily. M. Larkin, Dawn J. Wright, and Emily. R. Lundblad Abstract American Samoa is home to some of the most unique coral reefs in the United States. They face several threats, including climate change, pollution, destructive fishing methods, and invasive species. Additionally, the remote location of American Samoa makes distribution of scientific research and data problematic. As part of an ongoing project at Oregon State University, this project will provide for the distribution of research about coral reefs in American Samoa to educators, managers and the public for promotion of reef conservation. Several steps will be necessary to accomplish this goal, including creation of benthic habitat maps for Fagaitua Bay and the National Park of American Samoa, development of a Web-based Geographic Information System in Samoan and English (including a bibliographic database of resources related to reefs in American Samoa), and creation of educational modules about benthic habitat GIS for use by American Samoa Community College. Introduction This study addresses the problem of public outreach and accessibility of scientific research and data in American Samoa through a web-based GIS called the American Samoa Benthic Viewer (ASBV). The remote location of the territory makes dissemination of current research that directly concerns American Samoa problematic. While there has been a proliferation of research on the coral reefs around the territory in the past few years, little of this information is available to the public in a form that is readily understandable or useable. This information may potentially be used in the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), which, in a society still partially dependent on subsistence fishing, directly affects the general public (Gilman 1997). -
High-Resolution Bathymetric Survey of Samoa
EU-SOPAC Project Report 112 Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States SAMOA TECHNICAL REPORT High-Resolution Bathymetric Survey Fieldwork Undertaken from 27 January to 1 March 2004 October 2008 Western Samoa three-dimensional Digital Elevation Model Prepared by: Jens Krüger and Salesh Kumar SOPAC Secretariat May 2008 PACIFIC ISLANDS APPLIED GEOSCIENCE COMMISSION c/o SOPAC Secretariat Private Mail Bag GPO, Suva FIJI ISLANDS http://www.sopac.org Phone: +679 338 1377 Fax: +679 337 0040 www.sopac.org [email protected] Important Notice This report has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Community; however, the views expressed herein must never be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Community. Samoa: High-Resolution Bathymetry EU EDF-SOPAC Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States – iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Geographic Situation .................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Geological Setting ...................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Previous Bathymetry Compilations............................................................................ -
American Samoa
Coral Reef Habitat Assessment for U.S. Marine Protected Areas: U.S. Territory of American Samoa National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA’s National Ocean Service Management & Budget Office Special Projects February 2009 Project Overview About this Effort NCCOS Benthic Habitat Mapping Effort The United States Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF), in both its National The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs (2000) and its National Coral Reef Ocean Service (NOS) initiated a coral reef research program in 1999 to Action Strategy (2002), established a key conservation objective of pro- map, assess, inventory, and monitor U.S. coral reef ecosystems (Monaco tecting at least 20% of U.S. coral reefs and associated habitat types in et al. 2001). These activities were implemented in response to require- no-take marine reserves. NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program has ments outlined in the Mapping Implementation Plan developed by the Map- been supporting efforts to assess current protection levels of coral reefs ping and Information Synthesis Working Group (MISWG) of the Coral Reef within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and quantify the area of U.S. coral Task Force (CRTF) (MISWG 1999). NOS’s National Centers for Coastal reef ecosystems protected in no-take reserves. The official federal defini- Ocean Science (NCCOS) Biogeography Team was charged with the de- tion of an MPA, signed into law by Executive Order 13158, is “any area of velopment and implementation of a plan to produce comprehensive digital the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, coral-reef ecosystem maps for all U.S. -
Maritime Heritage in American Samoa
Connections to the Sea: Maritime Heritage in American Samoa American Samoa. The inventory features Cultural Heritage from the Sea? multiple aspects of history in American Cultural heritage resources in the marine Samoa: 1) historic shipwrecks lost in American Samoa; 2) World War II naval context emphasize all types of past human connections to the sea, whether those aircraft lost in American Samoa; 3) World connections are centered in Samoan traditions War II fortifications, gun emplacements, and and lifestyles (fa`a-Samoa), Samoan coastal coastal pillboxes; 4) Samoan coastal archaeological sites or cultural uses of marine archaeological sites; and 5) coastal and resources, or maritime heritage sites such as marine features associated with ancient NOAA ONMS historic shipwrecks and other significant Samoan myths and legends. Very few of the A coastal pillbox near the village of Alao; underwater objects. historic ships or aircraft have been located signposts of the Pacific War. within the waters of the Territory; the initial inventory work was document-based and did Certain coastal and marine natural features like tupua also have strong cultural connections as not involve field survey. Some of the visible touchstones of oral history, parts of the potential sites, if located and confirmed, NOAA’s Maritime Heritage could be eligible for the National Register of Program heritage record. According to Volk, Knudsen, Kluge and Herdrich, “these sites are of Historic Places. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries extraordinary significance to -
Proceedings of the American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop
Proceedings of the American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop Stacey Kilarski and Alan R. Everson (Editors) U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-114 Proceedings of the American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop Convention Center, Utulei, American Samoa October 21-23, 2008 Edited by: Stacey Kilarksi AECOS, Inc. 45-939 Kamehameha Highway Suite 104 Kane‘ohe, HI 96744 Alan R. Everson Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS Habitat Conservation Division 1601 Kapiolani Blvd Suite 1110 Honolulu, HI 96814 [email protected] NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-114 U.S. Department of Commerce Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Administrator of NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Eric C. Schwaab, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Suggested citation: Kilarski, Stacey, and Alan Everson (eds.). Proceedings of the American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop (October 2008). U.S. Dep. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS- F/SPO114, 143 p. A copy of this report may be obtained from: Alan R. Everson Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS Habitat Conservation Division 1601 Kapiolani Blvd Suite 1110 Honolulu, HI 96814 [email protected] Or online at: http://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/tm/ American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop Convention Center, Utulei, American Samoa October 21-23, 2008 Organizers: NOAA-Pacific Island Regional Office NOAA-Pacific Island Fishery Science Center Department -
IFE and Wlldll ITAT of AMERICAN SA VIRONMENT and ECOLO
IFE AND WlLDLl ITAT OF AMERICAN SA VIRONMENT AND ECOLO By A. Binion Amerson, Jr., W. Arthur Whistler, and Terry D. Schwaner Environment Consultants, Inc., Dallas, Texas Edited by Richard C. Banks U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Washington, D.C. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF T E INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Washington, D.C. e 1982 Foreword A survey of the status of the wildlife and wildlife habitat of American Samoa. an unincorporated Territory of the United States. was recommended by administrative officials of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in the early 1970s .Environ- ment Consultants. Inc . (ECI). based in Dallas. Texas. was selected to conduct a 2-year survey with A .Binion Amerson. Jr., as Principal Investigator . The contract was administered through the Division of Federal Aid in FWS Region I. Portland. Oregon . The primary objectives of the survey were (1) to define the major ecosystems and to inventory their physical components. vegetation. and wildlife constituents; (2) to prepare maps of these ecosystems; (3) to identify any threatened or endangered species of wildlife; and (4) to recommend wildlife management opportunities and needs . The report of the survey was to be in two parts . The first was to be a non-technical account suitable for wide general distribution; the second was to include the technical aspects of the data and data gathering. with accounts of the wildlife species . This volume represents the first part of ECI's report . The final report submitted by ECI contained more than 1. 200 pages. 200 figures. and 110 tables. many of thelatter several pages long . -
Marine Conservation Science & Monitoring
Sanctuary Advisory Council UPDATE: January - August 2015 CULTURAL HERITAGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT In February 2015, the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (sanctuary) launched American Samoa "Get into Your Sanctuary (GIYS)" cam- paign that will run through October 2015. The campaign highlights communities, partnerships and the special places of the sanctuary. Additionally, the campaign includes community and outreach events as well as eco-tours led by sanctuary community members. GIYS LAUNCH: Over 200 government leaders, community UPCOMING EVENTS members, local residents, and students filled the Ocean Center for the February launch of the "Get into Your Sanc- September 3rd @ 9am tuary" Campaign where 200 students from 13 different schools pledged “Ta’iala mo le Sami" (Ocean Action Initia- Ocean Center - Google Street and Catlin Seaview Survey Launch tives) to further efforts to conserve natural and cultural re- sources for a better tomorrow for American Samoa. Richard September 4th @ 9am Vevers, Executive Director of Catlin Seaview Survey, pre- sented on the recent global coral bleaching event that im- Ocean Center - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting pacted the Territory’s reefs. He also compared bleaching September 19th @ 9am - 12pm imagery from February with pre-bleaching 360 degree im- agery captured during a visit in December 2014. Malaloa Dock – SSV Robert C. Seamans Open House GIYS SITE EVENTS: In March the Fagatele Bay event drew more than 200 visitors that explored the wonders of this ocean treasure and its unique surroundings. Tours included information on sanctuary programs, birds, veg- etation, an umu/weaving/traditional food tasting and hike down to the bay. 200 people participated in the Aunu’u “GIYS” event in April. -
GAO-08-655 American Samoa
United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Requesters GAO June 2008 AMERICAN SAMOA Issues Associated with Potential Changes to the Current System for Adjudicating Matters of Federal Law GAO-08-655 June 2008 AMERICAN SAMOA Accountability Integrity Reliability Issues Associated with Potential Changes to the Highlights Current System for Adjudicating Matters of Federal Highlights of GAO-08-655, a report to Law congressional requesters Why GAO Did This Study What GAO Found American Samoa is the only Because American Samoa does not have a federal court like the CNMI, Guam, populated U.S. insular area that or USVI, matters of federal law arising in American Samoa have generally does not have a federal court. been adjudicated in U.S. district courts in Hawaii or the District of Columbia. Congress has granted the local High Court federal jurisdiction for Reasons offered for changing the existing system focus primarily on the certain federal matters, such as difficulties of adjudicating matters of federal law arising in American Samoa, specific areas of maritime law. GAO was asked to conduct a study principally based on American Samoa’s remote location, and the desire to of American Samoa’s system for provide American Samoans more direct access to justice. Reasons offered addressing matters of federal law. against any changes focus primarily on concerns about the effects of an Specifically, this report discusses: increased federal presence on Samoan culture and traditions and concerns (1) the current system for about juries’ impartiality given close family ties. During the mid-1990s, several adjudicating matters of federal law proposals were studied and many of the issues discussed then, such as the in American Samoa and how it protection of local culture, were also raised during this study. -
Planning Activities
Coastal Community Resilience Building Resilience from the Inside Out AWR-228 Participant Guide Version 1.0 NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING CENTER Copyright Information Coastal Community Resilience © National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, University of Hawaii 2011 All Rights Reserved. First Edition 2011 This Printing: July 2011 Printed in the United States of America Reproduction of this document in whole or in part in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, digital copying, recording, taping, Web distribution, or information storage and retrieval systems is strictly prohibited. This program was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number 2009-NA-T9-K004 and 2010-NA-T0-K012 administered by the US Department of Homeland Security, National Training and Education Division. Points of view or opinions in this program are those of the author(s) and do not represent the position or policies of the US Department of Homeland Security. Department of Homeland Security reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use, and authorize others to use, for federal government purposes: (1) the copyright in any work developed under an award or subaward; and (2) any rights of copyright to which a recipient or sub-recipient purchases ownership with federal support. Coastal Community Resilience Participant Guide Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................... -
Health & Climate Change
SAMOA HEALTH & CLIMATE CHANGE COUNTRY PROFILE 2020 Small Island Developing States Initiative CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS 3 BACKGROUND 4 CLIMATE HAZARDS RELEVANT FOR HEALTH 7 HEALTH VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE 10 HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE 13 HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE: MEASURING PROGRESS Acknowledgements This document was developed in collaboration with the Government of Samoa and the Ministry of Health. ii Health and Climate Change Country Profile EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Despite producing very little greenhouse gas the health sector is appreciative for the strategic emissions that cause climate change, people living climate change and health framework that resulted in small island developing States (SIDS) are on the from this work. Many of the outcomes of the health front line of climate change impacts. Recognizing component of this project have provided climate the unique and immediate threats faced by small and health baseline data and, more importantly, islands, WHO has responded by introducing the strategic guidance to the work of climate and health. WHO Special Initiative on Climate Change and Health in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The initiative The Climate Adaptation Strategy for Health was launched in November 2017 in collaboration provides a strategic framework to strengthen the with the United Nations Framework Convention on resilience of the health sector, to improve the Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Fijian Presidency capacity of the health sector, risk management of the COP23 in Bonn Germany, with the vision that and response to disasters and climate change. by 2030 all health systems in SIDS will be resilient Furthermore, the strategy aims to support cross- to climate variability and climate change. -
Ethnographic Assessment and Overview National Park of American Samoa
PACIFIC COOPERATIVE STUDIES UNIT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT MĀNOA Dr. David C. Duffy, Unit Leader Department of Botany 3190 Maile Way, St. John #408 Honolulu, Hawai’i 96822 Technical Report 152 ETHNOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT AND OVERVIEW NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA November 2006 Jocelyn Linnekin1, Terry Hunt, Leslie Lang and Timothy McCormick 1 Email: [email protected]. Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut Beach Hall Room 445, U-2176 354 Mansfield Road Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2176 Ethnographic Assessment and Overview The National Park of American Samoa Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures iii List of Slides v Preface: Study Issues vi Maps vii Key to Maps x I. The Environmental Context 1 Climate and Vegetation 1 The National Park Environments 4 II. Archaeology and Samoan Prehistory 8 Early Settlement 8 Later Inland Settlement 9 Late Prehistoric Period 9 European Contact and the Historical Period 10 Archaeology in the National Park Units 10 III. Research Methodology 15 Documentary Phase 15 Field Research 15 Limitations of the Research 17 IV. Ethnohistory 22 Myths and Legends Relevant to the Park 22 The European Contact Period 25 Western Ethnohistorical and Ethnographic Reports 31 V. Agriculture and Domestically Useful Plants 46 Tutuila Unit 46 Ta'u Unit 49 Ofu Unit 51 Summary 52 VI. Marine Resources 53 Tutuila Unit 53 Ta'u Unit 57 Ofu Unit 58 Summary 61 i VII. Medicinal Plants 63 Ofu Unit 63 Ta'u Unit 66 Tutuila Unit 66 Summary 67 VIII. Analysis of Freelist Data 75 Crops and Cultivated Plants 76 Medicinal Plants 81 Fish and Marine Species 84 Animals and Birds 86 Summary of the Freelist Results 88 IX.