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American Samoa

American Samoa. Ephraim Temple UH Sea Grant American Samoa Community College. Background. 62,000 people as of 2005 Land areas of 197 km 2 Ocean area (EEZ) of 426,405 km 2 5 volcanic islands and 2 coral atolls GDP=$510 million ($5,800 per capita)

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American Samoa

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  1. American Samoa Ephraim Temple UH Sea Grant American Samoa Community College

  2. Background • 62,000 people as of 2005 • Land areas of 197 km2 • Ocean area (EEZ) of 426,405 km2 • 5 volcanic islands and 2 coral atolls • GDP=$510 million ($5,800 per capita) • 93% Pacific Islander, 3% Asian, 1% White, 3% Other • 90% of land communally owned, economy relies heavily on US trade, grants, and jobs. Tuna canneries are bulk of the private sector • Unincorporated territory of the U.S. since 1900

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  6. Major Environmental Issues • What is the current state of the environment? • Declining near-shore fisheries • Impact of population growth on environment • Impact of environment on human population • Climate change • Nitrogen loading • Fossil Fuels for energy

  7. Data Collection • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration • collects air temperature, wind speed and direction, dominant swell height, tides, barometric pressure, rainfall, sea surface temperature and atmospheric CO2 • Data are collected by one buoy about 1 mile offshore, one station in Tafuna near the airport, and the CO2 monitoring station in Tula • US and AS EPA • Water quality of river and stream runoff

  8. Data Collection • AS Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources • Monitor coral reef health • Monitor near shore and offshore fish populations • Assess impact of marine protected areas on human and marine populations • Monitor human response to changes in ocean conditions • US National Park Service • Monitor coral reef health • Gauge interactions between terrestrial and marine habitats

  9. Research Needs • What is the current state of the environment? • Ocean currents and current flow modeling, more accurate wave energy data • marine resources of and biological impact of submerged barrier islands and growing island Vailulu’u • Declining near-shore fisheries • relationship between hydrodynamics and larval connectivity • location of important sources and sinks for marine larvae • impact of MPA’s on reef populations • Impact of environment on human population • Tsunami inundation and flood zone mapping

  10. Research Needs • Impact of population growth on environment • toxicity of fish beyond Pago Pago Harbor • impact of ballast water on native species • Climate change • trends in reef ecosystems in relationship to global warming • Nitrogen loading • effect of traditional waste management practices on near-shore communities • Fossil Fuels for energy • oceanic renewable energy resources

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