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New Fagatele Bay Educational Kiosks unveiled

(PRESS RELEASE) —Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, in collaboration with the American Samoa Department of Commerce, invites the public to experience two new educational kiosks highlighting the importance of marine resource protection in American Samoa.

The kiosks are located in the waiting lounge at Pago Pago International Airport, and Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center (near the records/payment window).

"These are the first educational kiosks in the territory," said Gene Brighouse, sanctuary superintendent. "We are thrilled to be able to provide the people of American Samoa with an exciting new tool to explore and learn about our marine environment."

Underscoring the sanctuary's commitment to outreach and education, the kiosks provide a visual and interactive showcase of the sanctuary's underwater treasures.

With the click of a button, users can obtain extensive information about marine species and habitats, and learn about various sanctuary activities, educational and outreach programs, research projects and resource protection programs. The kiosks also include a "Kids Corner" where children can see and learn about marine life in a fun and entertaining way.

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects and preserves a fringing coral reef ecosystem nestled within an eroded volcanic crater on the southern coast of Tutuila, American Samoa. It is the smallest and most remote of all the national marine sanctuaries and is the only true tropical reef in the program. The site is uniquely rich in both natural resources and cultural heritage. Fagatele Bay provides a home to a wide variety of animals and plants that thrive in the protected waters of the bay.

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries co-manages the sanctuary with the American Samoa Government, through the American Samoa Department of Commerce, and works closely with communities adjacent to the sanctuary, all within the context of Samoan cultural traditions and practices.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and our other social media channels.