Ocean Exploration Trust plans ‘a teaching moment’ with S/V Nautilus

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, the Superintendent of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Atuatasi-Lelei Peau and several members of the Ocean Exploration Trust team met with Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga to discuss upcoming outreaches and research studies.

The Ocean Exploration Trust is planning several education and outreach efforts to engage local students and teachers in American Samoa. The Ocean Exploration Trust is deeply involved in advancing technology, education, and outreach to explore the ocean and its uncharted areas through the S/V Nautilus expedition.

Earlier this year, Lottie Haleck of Samoana High School and Neon Osa of Tafuna High School, both educators from American Samoa, were chosen to participate in this year's Nautilus expedition season as Science Communication Fellows. This opportunity allows them to actively engage in scientific research and enhance their skills in ocean exploration aboard the S/V Nautilus.

The outcome of the meeting with the governor focused on how best the Ocean Exploration Trust's expedition can benefit American Samoa.

Areas looked at included:

➢ mapping priority areas around Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Swains Island to provide new seafloor data and imagery to inform conservation and management decision;

➢ making all data publicly accessible through local data storage and sharing; and,

➢ engaging local students and teachers in the expedition through educational outreach efforts, and collaborating with key local partners like the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa to ensure the technologies are deployed strategically based on local  needs and priorities.

“I first want to congratulate our two local educators, Ms. Haleck and Ms. Osa, on their selection to this prestigious opportunity,” Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga said in a press release issued Wednesday, March 13. “I also want to commend the Ocean Exploration Trust and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa for their commitment to scientific discovery and education as it aligns with our territory’s value of environmental stewardship, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

“Your collaboration with our local community exemplifies the power of partnerships and the potential for collective action in addressing and educating in areas of ocean exploration, safeguarding our marine resources, enhancing scientific literacy, and promoting economic prosperity for generations to come.”

Members of the Ocean Exploration Trust team are:

●  Megan Cook - Director of Education & Outreach, Ocean Exploration Trust

●  Allison Fundis - Chief Operating Officer, Ocean Exploration Trust

●  Dr. Daniel Wagner - Chief Scientist, Ocean Exploration Trust

Also in attendance was Program Manager for the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and Palau International Coral Reef Center Mr. King Sam.

LOCAL CONCERNS

The Trust team is arriving in the territory at a time when community attention has been drawn to the lack of due diligence by certain government departments — Project Notification and Review System (PNRS) Board or the Commerce Department and Public Works — concerning infrastructure projects not being reviewed for environmental concerns such as the affects of water runoff into the territory’s coastal waters.

(Sources: ASG media release- Mar. 13, 2024, Samoa News story published Mar. 12, 2024 issue)