THS Science Club leads ocean health awareness at First Friday outreach

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The tantalizing aroma of global cuisine at last week’s First Friday at the Lions Park wasn’t the only thing drawing crowds. Tafuna High School’s Science Club took center stage with a powerful outreach campaign on marine health, drawing attention to two critical issues impacting American Samoa’s environment and people: ciguatera fish poisoning and marine debris.

"We’re here to educate our community, especially about ciguatera poisoning and microplastics,” said 14-year-old Ida DeWees from Nu’uuli, a freshman at Tafuna High School, a NOAA Ocean Guardian School. “It’s not just a science lesson—it’s real. People are getting sick, and many may not even know why.”

Ida, along with other club members, stood beside colorful posters, models of affected fish species, and infographics showing microplastic contamination in humans. Their messages were grounded in science and supported by local research in partnership with the NOAA Ocean Guardian Ambassadors, Sea Grant, and the Talofa PEA Project.

A 6-year-old peers into a microscope as 14-year-old Ida DeWees, a member of the Tafuna High School Science Club, explains what she’s seeing. Residents who attended last week’s First Friday event at Lions Park had the opportunity to enjoy presentations by the Tafuna High School students. [photo: faaTalanoa Media]

Ciguatera poisoning, a lesser-known but serious health concern in tropical regions, is caused by toxins from a microscopic marine organism called Gambierdiscus. When fish like barracuda, red snapper, or giant grouper eat these toxic algae, the poison builds up in their bodies. Humans who consume the contaminated fish can suffer from symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and long-term neurological effects.

“It’s more common here than people think,” said Ida. “That’s why we want the public to be aware. If someone gets sick from fish, we hope they not only get medical help but also report it to help researchers monitor these areas.”

The club’s outreach also spotlighted marine debris, especially the alarming spread of microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than five millimeters. “They’re in the air, the ocean, the soil—and even in our bodies,” said 15-year-old Amenatave Voseci from Pavaiai. “We’ve learned they can cause serious health problems, especially from chemicals like phthalates that disrupt hormones and affect unborn babies.”

The students didn’t just raise awareness; they offered practical solutions—encouraging the use of metal straws, glass containers, and reducing plastic consumption. “It’s about making smarter daily choices to protect our health and our island,” Voseci added.

The event also showcased the strength of community partnerships. UH Sea Grant researcher Talofa Fe’a praised the students’ involvement. “These students are our future scientists and leaders,” she said. “Their enthusiasm and commitment to science and community outreach are exactly what this project needs to make a lasting impact.”

Talofa, who began the ciguatera monitoring project during an internship with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, now serves full-time to transition the research into a community-led effort. “Working with youth like those in Tafuna’s Science Club ensures that the message reaches homes, families, and future generations.”

The club, which boasts 35 members, had about 15 to 20 students actively participating in the outreach booth throughout the day. Many had been on site since 1 p.m., staying long past sunset to engage the public with information, demonstrations, and encouragement to take action.

As the event came to a close, their impact was clear. “We love our fish,” said Ida, “but we have to protect both our ocean and our people.”

Throughout the six-hour outreach, the students were closely monitored by their teacher and advisor Claire Bacus-Dewees.