Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The latest National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) condition report cited a number of concerns following research from 2007 to 2020 by the National Oceania Atmospheric Administration.

This is the first condition report for the sanctuary since it was expanded a decade ago.

In the report, NOAA states that the overall condition of sanctuary resources is good, however there is evidence that climate change effects, such as coral bleaching and coastal erosion, are threatening habitats, resources, and ecosystem services.

NMSAS is composed of six separate protected areas that cover 13,581 square miles of ocean waters, making it the largest national marine sanctuary in the U.S. It is home to a great diversity of marine life, including corals and other invertebrates, fish, turtles, marine plants, and marine mammals, according to the report.

The first condition report, which assessed resources in Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, was published in 2007.

This condition report marks an updated and comprehensive description of the expanded National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

The pressures on NMSAS resources associated with human activities are diverse, operate at varying scales, and differ significantly in their impact.

“Changes in ocean conditions resulting from accelerated climate change, pollution, marine debris, vessel groundings, visitor use, scientific and management activities, and nuisance species outbreaks operate throughout the sanctuary and likely cause the greatest impacts.

“Fishing also occurs in the sanctuary, and while it may be viewed as a pressure, it is also an ecosystem service, contributing to the wellbeing, livelihoods, and food security of many of the communities in American Samoa.”

According to the report the societal drivers behind these pressures are not something NMSAS can manage, as they are primarily influenced by global, regional, and local demand for goods and services.

“Still, it is helpful to understand the connections between drivers and pressures in order to prioritize management actions.

“Drivers include economic factors, such as income and spending; demographics, like population levels and development; and societal values, such as levels of conservation awareness, political leanings, or changing opinions about the acceptability of specific behaviors (e.g., littering).

“All drivers influence pressures on resources by changing human preferences and, consequently, the levels of activities needed to meet the demand for resources and services.

In general, water quality in the sanctuary is good. The limited data available indicate that nutrient and contaminant levels are below recommended thresholds.

“However, the close proximity of the Futiga landfill to Fagatele Bay and Fagalua/ Fogama’a, continued development, and the presence of a shallow sewage outfall in Aunu’u may require further monitoring.

“Of significant concern, however, are the changing conditions associated with climate change. Pacific Islands are among the most vulnerable areas in the world to the predicted effects of climate change.

“Changes in ocean conditions resulting from accelerated climate change, like increased ocean temperatures and rising sea levels, are already affecting marine ecosystems across NMSAS.

“Rising temperatures have led to significant coral bleaching events in 2015, 2017, and 2020, and a smaller event at Swains Island in 2016. These events may result in widespread coral mortality. In addition, the prevalence of many coral diseases increases with rising ocean temperatures and thermal stress events.

Many marine organisms are also threatened by ocean acidification.

“Climate change and ocean acidification are likely to have a significant influence on the status and trends of sanctuary resources in the future, and it is important that NMSAS work with partners to improve climate monitoring and research moving forward.”

Despite some fluctuations over the reporting period, habitats in the sanctuary are in good/fair condition. Shallow nearshore habitats were exposed to disturbances such as cyclones, coral bleaching events, and crown-of-thorns starfish invasions.

“Fortunately, these habitats, particularly coral reefs, have demonstrated resilience to these events.

“Shallow nearshore habitats are also exposed to anthropogenic impacts.

“For example, a vessel grounding in Aunu’u had a severe impact on coral reef habitat, but effects were constrained to a small area. Iron enrichment from a 1993 vessel grounding at Rose Atoll persists, but continues to improve.

“Marine debris continues to be a chronic but minor problem across all habitats.

“Recent deep-sea expeditions have not identified any recent impacts or immediate threats to these habitats, but data are extremely limited and no previous data are available for comparison.”

More from the NMSAS condition report on other issues in later editions.