Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “Ia Uluulu Matāfolau.” This Samoan proverb translates to: Go and look in the fishermen’s houses. To find quality hooks, one must seek them among the "tagata faifaiva" (fishers). Otherwise, you risk settling for less.

It encourages us to approach our endeavors thoroughly and avoid negligence — whether in fishing or any other pursuit. It’s a reminder that true success often requires seeking knowledge and resources from those who know best.

All summer 2024, I embraced this principle while conducting research with the tagata faifaiva and local fishing communities in American Samoa. By sharing space, knowledge, and resources with fishers and community members, I aimed for a research experience that was thorough and intentional, consciously avoiding negligence.

Talofa lava! I am Talofa Fe'a, a 2023 NOAA EPP/MSI undergraduate scholar from American Samoa. I spent my second summer working with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) and University of Hawai'i Sea Grant’s Pacific Ciguatera Network, under the mentorship of Research Coordinator Val Brown and Eileen Nalley, Ph.D., exploring the risk of ciguatera poisoning in American Samoa. 

CIGUATERA POISONING — A GROWING CONCERN IN PASEFIKA

Ciguatera poisoning (CP) is a food-borne illness caused by consuming seafood that has bioaccumulated, or built up, ciguatoxins. Ciguatoxins are toxins produced by dinoflagellates (microalgae) known as Garmbierdiscus spp. This issue is particularly prevalent in Pasefika where fishing often lies at the heart of the culture and economy in many Pacific Island communities. With climate change affecting marine ecosystems, the prevalence of CP seems to be increasing, making it essential to understand its impacts on local populations.

The last documented CP study in American Samoa occurred in 1997. In the 27 years since, environmental conditions, population, and lifestyles have changed, and we felt it was important to revisit and reassess the impacts and prevalence of CP.

Talofa Fe'a collecting algae samples for her 2024 EPP/MSI summer internship with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and University of Hawai'i Sea Grant. She studied the risk of ciguatera poisoning in American Samoa. [photo: Val Brown]

IA ULUULU MATĀFOLAU — SEEKING QUALITY HOOKS, MAKING CONNECTIONS

To catch the current realities of CP in these communities, we had to embody the essence of “Ia Uluulu Matāfolau” and engage directly with the community as they were the true experts in this case. This meant immersing ourselves in in-depth interviews with community members in addition to asking for experiences with CP through an anonymous survey.

VALUABLE INSIGHTS FROM LOCAL EXPERTS

By seeking out the knowledge and expertise housed within the community, we deepened our understanding of ciguatera's impact and gathered vital perspectives on adaptation and monitoring. 

The interviews revealed a wealth of firsthand accounts, shedding light on the prevalence of CP, the cultural significance of fishing practices, and the local ecological knowledge that has been passed down through generations. Additionally, fishers shared valuable ideas for co-producing knowledge and strategies between local fishing communities and management agencies. This grassroots approach not only deepened our understanding of the complexities of the issue but also showcased the forward-thinking nature of many tagata faifaiva in building resilience.

FORWARD TOGETHER — SHARING THE HOOKS, CONNECTING INSIGHTS WITH ACTION

As we advance, our commitment to collaboration with local partners and communities remains at the forefront of our efforts. Through working closely with fishers, we were able to pilot a sampling method for Gambierdiscus spp. in a couple of identified high-risk locations with the support of partners and volunteers. We are also actively developing educational resources such as factsheets and posters that emphasize safe fishing practices and the importance of recognizing ciguatera poisoning. These materials will be tailored to the unique needs and cultural contexts of the fishing communities in American Samoa.

Our journey doesn’t end here. As we continue to explore and address the challenges of ciguatera poisoning, I am hopeful that the connections we’ve made will lead to meaningful action for American Samoa.

“Ia Uluulu Matāfolau.” May we continue to carry the ethos of the proverb forward, ensuring that our endeavors are grounded in respect, understanding, and active partnership with the tagata faifaiva and the scientists who came before us, as well as those who will follow.

(Talofa Fe’a is a class of 2023 Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Undergraduate Scholar and a Natural Resource Management major at University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.)