Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga has informed the federal government that the new DMWR director Taotasi Archie Soliai is the new Point of Contact for three federal panels.

“American Samoa strives for thriving, valued and conserved coral reef ecosystems,” Lemanu wrote in a letter last month to Jennifer Koss, director of the Coral Reef Conservation Program at the at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service.

The governor pointed out that American Samoa “recognizes the valued roles in our coral reef conservation” at NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, the US Interior Department’s Coral Reef Initiative and the All Island Coral Reef Committee, and the US Coral Reef Task Force.

Effective immediately, according to the governor, Taotasi will serve as the new Point of Contact for these entities and Taotasi, replaces “retiring” former DMWR director Vaamua Henry Sesepasara as the new DMWR director and chair of the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group.

In Taotasi’s absence, the governor said DMWR deputy director Selaina H. Vaitautolu Tuimavave, is authorized to serve as point of contact.

Samoa News notes that Taotasi is also the current chairman of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.