Marine Sanctuary appoints Radewagen to advisory council

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa announced the appointment of Erika Radewagen, president of the American Samoa Swimming Association, to its advisory council. She will be a primary member and serve as the representative for the Research seat.

 “The Sanctuary Advisory Council is an important link between Sanctuary management and user groups and communities,” said Atuatasi Lelei Peau, acting Sanctuary superintendent. “Through the council, varied and diverse communities have a voice in helping the Sanctuary manage marine protected areas.”

Erika has been involved in cultural resource management and research projects in American Samoa since 1998, ranging from mapping the coastal defense systems from WWII, to her current project as the curator of the Jean P. Hayden Museum of American Samoa. She is also involved in many of the locally available water sports. 

Established in 2005, the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) provides advice and recommendations on managing and protecting the Sanctuary. The council is composed of 11 government and 14 non-governmental representatives. Serving in a volunteer capacity, the council members represent a variety of local user groups as well as the general public. Sanctuary advisory council primary members serve three-year terms, and meet several times per year in public sessions.