National Marine Sanctuary
of American Samoa
National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is located in the cradle of Polynesia's oldest culture. It comprises six protected areas covering 13,581 square miles of nearshore coral reef and open ocean across the Samoan archipelago. The sanctuary protects extensive coral reefs, deep-water reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare marine archaeological resources. NOAA co-manages the sanctuary with the American Samoa government and works closely with local communities, all within the context of Samoan cultural traditions and practices.
"Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele" (We must be of one mind in the undertaking).
Learn more about National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa at americansamoa.noaa.gov.
Quick Facts
Location: Six individual marine protected areas in the Samoan Archipelago
Protected Area: 13,581 square miles
Designation: Fagatele Bay: April 1986 Expansion: September 2012
Habitats:
- Coral reefs
- Deep sea
- Hydrothermal vents
- Mesophotic coral ecosystem
- Open ocean Seamounts
Key Species:
- Giant clam
- Hawksbill sea turtle
- Humphead wrasse
- Oceanic whitetip shark
- Shallow and deep-sea corals
- Southern humpback whale
- Steephead parrotfish
- White-tailed tropicbird
- Yellowfin tuna
Sanctuary Highlight
Training a Community to Combat Coral Disease in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa
As ocean conditions continue to shift and human impacts extend across ecosystems, the risk of coral disease transmission is rising. While the coral reefs surrounding American Samoa remain relatively healthy, resource managers are preparing for the possibility of future outbreaks—especially as coral diseases have devastated reefs elsewhere, such as those in the Western Atlantic. The best defense is preparation: equipping scientists with the tools and training to respond swiftly and effectively when a threat appears.
Multimedia
Our Planet is an Ocean Planet: Earth Is Blue.
No matter where you are, the ocean and Great Lakes are in your hands. We hope these images and videos from National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa inspire you to help care for our ocean and to spread the word that Earth isn't green—it's blue.
National Marine Sanctuary System
Safeguarding America's Premier Marine Places
From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places to address 21st-century challenges while supporting America's commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation’s iconic ocean and Great Lakes waters.