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American Samoa The U.S. Territory of American Samoa (the United States' southern-most territory) consists of a group of five volcanic islands and two atolls (Rose Atoll and Swains Island) in the central South Pacific Ocean, approximately 4,200 km south of the Main Hawaiian Islands. The five volcanic islands, Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, are the major inhabited islands. Tutuila is the largest island and the center of government. Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, collectively are referred to as the Manu'a Islands. These islands are small, ranging in size from Tutuila (138 km�) to the uninhabited and remote Rose Atoll (4 km�). Swains Island (approximately 2 km²) is an unbroken circle of land with an enclosed lagoon, which depending upon the amount of rainfall, becomes a saltwater or freshwater lake. The total area of coral reefs (to 100 m) in the territory is approximately 296 km�. The limited shallow water coral reef habitats consist primarily of fringing coral reefs, a few offshore banks, and two atolls. Many species of Indo-Pacific corals, other invertebrates, and fishes are members of the American Samoa coral reef ecosystem. Although the corals have largely recovered from a number of natural disturbances in recent years, including a major crown-of-thorns starfish invasion, several bleaching events, and powerful damaging hurricanes, the ecosystem cannot be considered healthy. Harmful fishing practices, coral bleaching, and coral disease have taken their toll. American Samoa's high population growth rate contributed to extensive coastal disruptions, fishing pressure, loss of wetlands, soil erosion and coastal sedimentation, solid and hazardous waste disposal, and pollution.
Map of American Samoa, courtesy of Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection. State of the Reefs Reports (SOTR) Link to relevant chapter or section of the” State of Reefs report (SOTR)” The
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2008. The
State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2005. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002. Metadata, Data and Publications search in CoRIS Search the CoRIS Library for American Samoa metadata, data and publications. You may also enter the name of any atoll, island or reef, uch as "Aunu'u", "Ofu", "Olosega", "Ta'u", "Rose Atoll", or "Swains Island" in the CoRIS Library Quick Search field and press the "Submit" button. ReefBase Coral Bleaching Reports Select "Micronesia" in the Region window and "American Samoa" in the Country window National Park of American Samoa Current time in American Samoa Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FBNMS) GIS Data Archive Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center CREI Moored Instruments with telemetry NOAA�s Coral Reef Watch Program NOAA�s Coral Reef Watch: Satellite coral bleaching monitoring Coral Reef Watch Coral Bleaching Indices Executive orders, Secretarial Orders, and Congressional Acts American Samoa Coral Reef Initiative American Samoa Environment Division Links to Samoan, Pacific, Archaeological and Historic Preservation Websites American Samoa: Local Action Strategy Chronology and leadership of American Samoa Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary American Samoa history and general information
Bibliography of Education Materials (General for Coral refs) Marine Protected Areas/ Marine Managed Areas National Marine Fisheries Service Inventory of Marine Managed Areas Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2 February 2007 Marine Protected Areas of the United States Home Page The Marine Protected Areas Inventory Marine Federal Areas Fact Sheet Executive order 13158: Marine Protected Areas Description of Wetlands in American Samoa by Richard D. Volk Alofau Amaua and Auto American Samoa Sea Turtles and Marine Mammal Sanctuary Aua Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Fagatele Bay 2007 Condition Report Marine Invertebrates of the national parks of American Samoa Masausi National Park of American Samoa Nu'uuli Pala Poloa Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Vatia (top)
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