2021
January 13, 2021 - January 31, 2022
POPULAR FISHING SPOTS
AMERIKA SAMOA LUNAR CALENDAR
Ofu Village Ofu Village in Manu‘a is the location for one of American Samoa’s oldest and most famous traditional fishing practices. Many of the old fishing methods have been replaced by modern techniques and gear, but on the sandy beaches along the southern coast of Ofu, the practice of enu trap fishing is still alive and well. The enu is a fishing trap basket woven with vines. The ‘ie‘ie vines are soaked in seawater for one week and buried in a pit near the water. Then they are cleaned off and hung out to dry. Long lengths of braided afa (coconut fiber) lashings are used to tie the vines together. It takes over 100 feet of the braided afa to construct a single enu trap. The completed traps are baited with uga (hermit crab) meat and partially buried in the sand near the shoreline when the i‘asina (yellowstripe goatfish) are running.
Top left - An enu fish trap and an ako (bag) of i‘asina. Photo: National Park of American Samoa. Right - A fisherman in Ofu Village checking his enu fish trap. Photo: Council staff. Inset - A haul of i‘asina caught in Ofu Village. Photo: National Park of American Samoa.
Utuvāmua January
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
13 WED
R S
6
06:39 19:58 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
14 THU
R S
6
07:38 20:46 N
6
Ianuari 13 - Fepuari 11, 2021
Masina Tolu
15 FRI
R S
6
Masina Faalao
08:34 21:29 N
6
16 SAT
R S
6
09:26 22:08 N
6
Masina Salefuga
17 SUN
R S
6
10:16 22:45 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
18 MON
R S
6
11:03 23:21 N
6
Masina Motuega
19 TUE
R S
6
11:49 23:56 N
6
Masina Aufasa
20 WED
R
6
12:36 N
6
Masina Matuatua
21 THU
S R
6
00:35 13:22 N
6
Masina Loloatai
22 FRI
S R
6
01:12 14:11 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Malupeaua
23 SAT
S R
6
01:53 15:01 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
24 SUN
S R
6
02:37 15:54 N
6
Masina Aiaina
25 MON
S R
6
03:25 16:48 N
6
Masina Punifaga
26 TUE
S R
6
04:18 17:42 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
27 WED
S R
6
05:14 18:36 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
28 THU
S R
6
06:11 19:27 N
6
Masina Feetetele
29 FRI
S R
6
07:10 20:15 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
30 SAT
S R
6
08:07 21:00 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
31 SUN
Masina Sulutele
February
-1
S R
6
09:03 21:44 N
6
1
MON
S R
6
09:59 22:26 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Nauna
2
TUE
6
S R
10:55 23:09 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
3
WED
6
S R
11:51 23:54 N
6
Masina Motusaga
4
THU
6
S
12:49 N
6
Masina Tatelega
5
FRI
6
R S
00:42 13:48 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
6
SAT
6
R S
01:34 14:49 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
7
SUN
6
R S
02:29 15:50 N
6
Masina Fataleu
8
MON
6
R S
03:27 16:50 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
9
TUE
6
R S
04:26 17:45 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
10 WED
6
R S
05:24 18:36 N
6
Masina Mauna
11 THU
6
R S
06:21 19:21 N
6
Faga‘alu Beach
Spearfishing is a popular fishing method in American Samoa. Fishermen often fish during the night with spears and flashlights to catch sleeping fish. Reef areas, such as the one off Faga‘alu Beach, are well-known places to catch favorite species like alogo (lined surgeonfish) and tafala (amberjack). The catch from those spearfishing trips is primarily sold from coolers by the roadside, with a portion saved for the family of the fisher-men and communal obligations.
Top left - Laea (parrotfish) are a favorite target species for local spearfishermen. Photo: Keith Ah Soon. Top right - A laea caught by a local fisherman. Photo: Jessica Ludgate. Bottom right - Ula-sami (spiny lobster), a favorite local food, is usually speared at night. Photo: Keith Ah Soon. Inset - A cooler full of fish after a night of spearfishing. Photo: Keith Ah Soon.
Fa‘aafu February
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
12 FRI
R S
6
07:15 20:02 N
6
Fepuari 12 - Mati 13, 2021
Masina Tofilofilo
13 SAT
R S
6
08:06 20:40 N
6
Masina Tolu
14 SUN
R S
6
Masina Faalao
08:55 21:17 N
6
15
MON 6
R S
09:42 21:52 N
6
Masina Salefuga
16 TUE
R S
6
10:28 22:28 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
17
WED 6
R S
11:15 23:06 N
6
Masina Motuega
18 THU
R S
6
12:03 23:46 N
6
Masina Aufasa
19 FRI
R
6
12:52 N
6
Masina Matuatua
20 SAT
S R
6
00:29 13:43 N
6
Masina Loloatai
21 SUN
S R
6
01:15 14:36 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Malupeaua
22
MON 6
S R
02:05 15:30 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
23 TUE
S R
6
02:59 16:23 N
6
Masina Aiaina
24
WED 6
S R
03:56 17:15 N
6
Masina Punifaga
25 THU
S R
6
04:54 18:05 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
26 FRI
S R
6
05:53 18:52 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
27 SAT
S R
6
06:51 19:38 N
6
Masina Feetetele
28 SUN
Masina Ataatatai
March
-1
S R
6
07:49 20:22 N
6
1
MON 6
S R
08:46 21:06 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
2
TUE
S R
6
09:44 21:51 N
6
Masina Sulutele
3
WED 6
S R
10:43 22:38 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Nauna
4
THU
6
S R
11:43 23:29 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
5
FRI
6
S
12:44 N
6
Masina Motusaga
6
SAT
6
R S
00:24 13:45 N
6
Masina Tatelega
7
SUN
6
R S
01:21 14:44 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
8
MON 6
R S
02:19 15:40 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
9
TUE
6
R S
03:17 16:31 N
6
Masina Fataleu
10
WED 6
R S
04:13 17:18 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
11 THU
6
R S
05:06 18:01 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
12 FRI
6
R S
05:58 18:40 N
6
Masina Mauna
13 SAT
6
R S
06:48 19:14 N
6
Alao Village Shallow shorelines with flat bottoms and no coral reefs, such as near Alao Village, are prime locations for fishermen to catch passing schools of fish with a kili (throw net). Traditionally, a kili is made with tree fiber and produced in villages away from the coast where those trees grew in greater abundance. Today, a kili is made out of monofilament mesh, but the technique remains largely unchanged. Top - Fisherman Aleni Snow casts a kili for i’asina (yellowstripe goatfish). Photo: Jes Ludgate. Bottom - A family preparing for a day of net fishing. Photo: Noel Mamea.
Fānoga March
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
14 SUN
R S
6
07:35 19:50 N
6
Mati 14 - Aperila 11, 2021
Masina Tofilofilo
15
MON 6
R S
08:22 20:25 N
6
Masina Tolu
16 TUE
R S
6
Masina Faalao
09:08 21:02 N
6
17
WED 6
R S
09:56 21:41 N
6
Masina Salefuga
18 THU
R S
6
10:44 22:23 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
19 FRI
R S
6
11:35 23:07 N
6
Masina Motuega
20 SAT
R S
6
12:26 23:56 N
6
Masina Aufasa
21 SUN
R
6
13:19 N
6
Masina Matuatua
22
MON 6
S R
00:47 14:11 N
6
Masina Loloatai
23 TUE
S R
6
01:41 15:03 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Malupeaua
24
WED 6
S R
02:38 15:53 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
25 THU
S R
6
03:36 16:41 N
6
Masina Aiaina
26 FRI
S R
6
04:34 17:27 N
6
Masina Punifaga
27 SAT
S R
6
05:32 18:12 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
28 SUN
S R
6
06:30 18:57 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
29
MON 6
S R
07:29 19:42 N
6
Masina Feetetele
30 TUE
S R
6
08:29 20:30 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
31
WED 6
Masina Fagaeleele
April
-1
S R
09:31 21:21 N
6
1
THU
S R
6
10:35 22:16 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Nauna
3
SAT
6
S
12:39 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
4
SUN
6
R S
00:14 13:37 N
6
Masina Motusaga
Masina Tatelega
5
6
MON 6
R S
01:13 14:30 N
6
TUE
6
R S
02:09 15:17 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
7
WED 6
R S
03:02 16:00 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
8
THU
6
R S
03:54 16:40 N
6
Masina Fataleu
9
FRI
6
R S
04:42 17:17 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
10 SAT
6
R S
05:30 17:53 N
6
Masina Mauna
11 SUN
6
R S
06:18 18:25 N
6
Masina Sulutele
2
FRI
6
S R
11:38 23:13 N
6
Fagasa Village When the atule (bigeye scad) seasonal run occurs, people in American Samoa still practice a fishing method that is thousands of years old. Lengths of lau (braided coconut fronds) are held by village members and used to herd fish onto the shore where they are scooped into nets and baskets. In Fagasa Village on the north shore of Tutuila Island, this method is still used today. The fish are caught and divided among the families of the village and, if it is a large catch, given as gifts to other villages. Top - Village members prepare lau and trap large schools of fish near the shore where they are collected in nets and shared among the residents. Bottom - A school of fish is collected in a large hand-woven basket. Left inset - I’asina (yellowstripe goatfish) is another seasonal run species caught using a lau. Photos: National Park of American Samoa. Right inset - One villager’s share of the atule catch. Photo: Jessica Ludgate.
Aununu April
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
12
MON 6
R S
07:04 19:01 N
6
Aperila 12 - Me 11, 2021
Masina Tofilofilo
13 TUE
R S
6
07:51 19:39 N
6
Masina Tolu
14
WED 6
R S
Masina Faalao
08:39 20:19 N
6
15 THU
R S
6
09:29 21:03 N
6
Masina Salefuga
16 FRI
R S
6
10:20 21:50 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
17 SAT
R S
6
11:12 22:39 N
6
Masina Motuega
18 SUN
R S
6
12:04 23:32 N
6
Masina Aufasa
19
R
MON 6
12:55 N
6
Masina Matuatua
20 TUE
S R
6
00:26 13:44 N
6
Masina Loloatai
21
WED 6
S R
01:22 14:31 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Malupeaua
22 THU
S R
6
02:18 15:17 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
23 FRI
S R
6
03:15 16:01 N
6
Masina Aiaina
24 SAT
S R
6
04:12 16:45 N
6
Masina Punifaga
25 SUN
S R
6
05:10 17:30 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
26
MON 6
S R
06:09 18:17 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
27 TUE
S R
6
07:12 19:07 N
6
Masina Feetetele
28
WED 6
S R
08:16 20:02 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
29 THU
S R
6
09:22 21:01 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
30 FRI
Masina Sulutele
May
-1
S R
6
10:27 22:02 N
6
1
SAT
S R
6
11:29 23:03 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Nauna
2
SUN
6
S
12:25 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
3
MON 6
R S
00:03 13:16 N
6
Masina Motusaga
4
TUE
6
R S
00:59 14:00 N
6
Masina Tatelega
5
WED 6
R S
01:51 14:41 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
6
THU
6
R S
02:40 15:19 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
7
FRI
6
R S
03:27 15:54 N
6
Masina Fataleu
8
SAT
6
R S
04:14 16:29 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
9
SUN
6
R S
05:00 17:05 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
10
MON 6
R S
05:47 17:41 N
6
Masina Mauna
11 TUE
6
R S
06:36 18:18 N
6
South Bank Located 36 nautical miles south of Tutuila Island, the South Bank seamount is the largest isolated feature in the surrounding waters. The bank is home to hundreds of species of coral and fish. Fishermen catch prized species such as palu-malau (ruby snapper), which live on reef edges and seamounts. Pelagic gamefish are also abundant on the bank, making it one of the best fishing locations in the territory. Boats that can make the long trip are usually rewarded for the effort.
Top left - Fisherman Clayton Mahuka fishing off the south coast. Photo: Nathan Sagapolutele. Top right - Palu-malau caught on the banks around Tutuila. Photo: Council staff. Bottom right - Mixed trolling and bottomfish fishing trips are common at places such as South Bank. Photo: Nathan Sagapolutele.
Oloāmanu May
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
12
WED 6
R S
07:25 19:01 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
13 THU
R S
6
08:16 19:46 N
6
Me 12 - Iuni 10, 2021
Masina Tolu
14 FRI
R S
6
09:07 20:35 N
6
Masina Faalao
15 SAT
R S
6
09:59 21:27 N
6
Masina Salefuga
16 SUN
R S
6
10:50 22:20 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
17
MON 6
R S
11:39 23:14 N
6
Masina Motuega
18 TUE
R
6
12:26 N
6
Masina Aufasa
19
WED 6
S R
00:08 13:11 N
6
Masina Matuatua
20 THU
S R
6
01:03 13:54 N
6
Masina Loloatai
21 FRI
S R
6
01:58 14:36 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
22 SAT
S R
6
02:53 15:19 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
23 SUN
S R
6
03:50 16:04 N
6
Masina Aiaina
24
MON 6
S R
04:50 16:52 N
6
Masina Punifaga
25 TUE
S R
6
05:53 17:44 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
26
WED 6
S R
06:59 18:42 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
27 THU
S R
6
08:07 19:43 N
6
Masina Feetetele
28 FRI
S R
6
09:12 20:47 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
29 SAT
S R
6
10:13 21:50 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
30 SUN
S R
6
11:08 22:50 N
6
Masina Sulutele
31
MON 6
S R
11:57 23:45 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
June
Masina Nauna
1
TUE
6
S
12:40 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
2
WED 6
R S
00:36 13:19 N
6
Masina Motusaga
3
THU
6
R S
01:24 13:55 N
6
Masina Tatelega
4
FRI
6
R S
02:11 14:31 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
5
SAT
6
R S
02:57 15:06 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
6
SUN
6
R S
03:44 15:42 N
6
Masina Fataleu
7
MON 6
R S
04:31 16:20 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
8
TUE
6
R S
05:20 17:00 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
9
WED 6
R S
06:11 17:44 N
6
Masina Mauna
10 THU
6
R S
07:03 18:32 N
6
Aunu‘u Island Alia (traditional double-hulled catamaran) fishermen targeting shallow bottomfish species such as savane (blue-striped snapper), asoama (jobfish) and filoa (emperor) frequently fish in the waters around Aunu‘u Island, Taema Bank and Cape Taputapu, which form a necklace around much of Tutuila Island. The raised areas are part of a benthic formation that was once a group of barrier islands surrounding Tutuila and have now become submerged. Top right - A pair of alia fishing boats docked at Aunu‘u Island. Photo: Nerelle Que. Bottom left - A fisherman with his gatala (grouper) off of the south coast of Tutuila Island. Photo: Nathan Sagapolutele. Bottom right - A cooler full of nearshore bottomfish. Photo: Nathan Sagapolutele.
Lotuaga June
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
11 FRI
R S
6
07:55 19:23 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
12 SAT
R S
6
08:47 20:16 N
6
Iuni 11 - Iulai 9, 2021
Masina Tolu
13 SUN
R S
6
Masina Faalao
09:37 21:10 N
6
14
MON 6
R S
10:24 22:03 N
6
Masina Salefuga
15 TUE
R S
6
11:09 22:57 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
16
WED 6
R S
11:52 23:50 N
6
Masina Motuega
17 THU
R
6
12:33 N
6
Masina Aufasa
18 FRI
S R
6
00:44 13:14 N
6
Masina Matuatua
19 SAT
S R
6
01:39 13:56 N
6
Masina Loloatai
20 SUN
S R
6
02:35 14:41 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
21
MON 6
S R
03:35 15:30 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
22 TUE
S R
6
04:38 16:24 N
6
Masina Aiaina
23
WED 6
S R
05:44 17:23 N
6
Masina Punifaga
24 THU
S R
6
06:50 18:26 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
25 FRI
S R
6
07:55 19:31 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
26 SAT
S R
6
08:54 20:34 N
6
Masina Feetetele
27 SUN
S R
6
09:47 21:33 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
28
MON 6
S R
10:34 22:28 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
29 TUE
S R
6
11:15 23:19 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
July
Masina Nauna
1
THU
6
R S
00:06 12:30 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
2
FRI
6
R S
00:53 13:05 N
6
Masina Motusaga
3
SAT
6
R S
01:39 13:41 N
6
Masina Tatelega
4
SUN
6
R S
02:27 14:18 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
5
MON 6
R S
03:15 14:58 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
6
TUE
6
R S
04:06 15:41 N
6
Masina Fataleu
7
WED 6
R S
04:57 16:27 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
8
THU
6
R S
05:50 17:17 N
6
Masina Mauna
9
FRI
6
R S
06:42 18:11 N
6
Masina Sulutele
30
WED 6
S
11:54 N
6
Below - Fishermen show off their catch from the south coast of Tutuila Island. Photo: Timothy Teleso. Top right Poor conditions often result in a good catch for shore-based fishermen. Photo: Timothy Teleso. Bottom right - Bishop Penaia Faalii lands a sopo‘anae at Matatula Rock Cliff on the eastern tip of Tutuila Island. Photo: Rowena Mamea.
Vaitogi Village There is a growing number of fishermen using rod and reel to target species such as sopo‘anae (giant trevally). Areas such as Vaitogi and Tula Villages have become popular spots where large species can be landed due to the steep drop-off close to the shore.
Tu‘iefu July
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
10 SAT
R S
6
07:33 19:05 N
6
Iulai 10 - Aukuso 8, 2021
Masina Tofilofilo
11 SUN
R S
6
08:22 19:59 N
6
Masina Tolu
12
MON 6
R S
Masina Faalao
09:08 20:53 N
6
13 TUE
R S
6
09:52 21:46 N
6
Masina Salefuga
14
WED 6
R S
10:33 22:39 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
15 THU
R S
6
11:13 23:33 N
6
Masina Motuega
16 FRI
R
6
11:54 N
6
Masina Aufasa
17 SAT
S R
6
00:28 12:37 N
6
Masina Matuatua
18 SUN
S R
6
01:24 13:22 N
6
Masina Loloatai
19
MON 6
S R
02:24 14:12 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
20 TUE
S R
6
03:27 15:07 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
21
WED 6
S R
04:31 16:07 N
6
Masina Aiaina
22 THU
S R
6
05:36 17:11 N
6
Masina Punifaga
23 FRI
S R
6
06:37 18:15 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
24 SAT
S R
6
07:33 19:16 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
25 SUN
S R
6
08:23 20:14 N
6
Masina Feetetele
26
MON 6
S R
09:08 21:08 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
27 TUE
S R
6
09:49 21:59 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
28
WED 6
S R
10:27 22:48 N
6
Masina Sulutele
29 THU
S R
6
11:03 23:35 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
30 FRI
6
S
11:39 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
31 SAT
6
Masina Motusaga
August
Masina Nauna
R S
00:21 12:16 N
6
1
SUN
6
R S
01:09 12:55 N
6
Masina Tatelega
2
MON 6
R S
01:59 13:36 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
3
TUE
6
R S
02:50 14:21 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
4
WED 6
R S
03:42 15:10 N
6
Masina Fataleu
5
THU
6
R S
04:35 16:02 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
6
FRI
6
R S
05:27 16:56 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
7
SAT
6
R S
06:17 17:52 N
6
Masina Mauna
8
SUN
6
R S
07:04 18:47 N
6
Fatumafuti Village Gleaning, or gathering food from reefs and tidepools during low tide, is one of the oldest methods of harvesting food from the sea in American Samoa. Traditionally carried out by the women in the village, gleaning is still practiced today. During low tide at villages such as Fatumafuti, harvesters can be seen inspecting crevices and looking in tide pools for fe‘e (octopus), alili (turban snail), faisua (giant clam), pusi (eel) and other invertebrates and small fish. Top left - The colorful faisua filters zooplankton and also uses photosynthesis to produce food. Photo: National Park of American Samoa. Top right and inset Corals in the shallow water around American Samoa host many marine species that the people of the territory harvest for food. Top right photo: National Park of American Samoa, inset photo: American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.
Mulifā August
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
9
MON 6
R S
07:49 19:41 N
6
Aukuso 9 - Setema 6, 2021
Masina Tofilofilo
10 TUE
R S
6
08:32 20:35 N
6
Masina Tolu
11
WED 6
R S
Masina Faalao
09:13 21:29 N
6
12 THU
R S
6
09:54 22:23 N
6
Masina Salefuga
13 FRI
R S
6
10:36 23:20 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
14 SAT
R
6
11:20 N
6
Masina Motuega
15 SUN
S R
6
00:18 12:07 N
6
Masina Aufasa
16
MON 6
S R
01:18 13:00 N
6
Masina Matuatua
17 TUE
S R
6
02:21 13:56 N
6
Masina Loloatai
18
WED 6
S R
03:24 14:57 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
19 THU
S R
6
04:25 16:00 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
20 FRI
S R
6
05:22 17:01 N
6
Masina Aiaina
21 SAT
S R
6
06:13 18:00 N
6
Masina Punifaga
22 SUN
S R
6
07:00 18:56 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
23
MON 6
S R
07:42 19:48 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
24 TUE
S R
6
08:21 20:38 N
6
Masina Feetetele
25
WED 6
S R
08:59 21:27 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
26 THU
S R
6
09:35 22:15 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
27 FRI
S R
6
10:12 23:03 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
29 SUN
6
S
11:31 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
30
MON 6
R S
00:41 12:14 N
6
Masina Motusaga
31 TUE
6
Masina Tatelega
September
Masina Nauna
R S
01:33 13:01 N
6
1
WED 6
R S
02:26 13:52 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
2
THU
6
R S
03:18 14:45 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
3
FRI
6
R S
04:09 15:40 N
6
Masina Fataleu
4
SAT
6
R S
04:57 16:36 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
5
SUN
6
R S
05:43 17:32 N
6
Masina Mauna
6
MON 6
R S
06:27 18:26 N
6
Masina Sulutele
28 SAT
6
S R
10:50 23:52 N
6
Top right - Corals are home to palolo, which spawn each fall. Photo: National Park of American Samoa. Bottom right - Draining the ocean water from a catch of palolo. Photo: Alvina Savali. Inset Palolo are a favorite treat in American Samoa. Photo: National Park of American Samoa.
Runway Point Pago Pago International Airport in Tafuna Village was built on the lagoon reef in the 1940s to facilitate increased air traffic during World War II. The waters off the airport point have become a favorite location for harvesting palolo (marine worms). Palolo harvesting is a cultural practice in the Samoan Islands that dates back thousands of years. Each year, thousands of people go to the shorelines with flashlights, buckets and nets, or load up their boats with large floodlights and scoop nets. The harvest takes place during three days of the third quarter moon (one week after the full moon) in the months of October and November each year. The worms appear at different times on different islands. Some villagers believe that successful palolo spawns are connected to plants, depending on how many moso‘oi (cananga tree flowers) bloom in the months of October and November. Others say the closing of the paulu (morning glory flower) can influence the success of a palolo spawn.
September
Pālolomua Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
7
TUE
R S
6
07:10 19:21 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
8
WED 6
R S
07:51 20:17 N
6
Masina Tolu
9
THU
R S
6
08:34 21:14 N
6
Masina Faalao
10 FRI
R S
6
09:18 22:13 N
6
Masina Salefuga
11 SAT
R S
6
10:05 23:14 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
12 SUN
R
6
10:56 N
6
Setema 7 - Oketopa 6, 2021 Masina Motuega
13
MON 6
S R
00:17 11:51 N
6
Masina Aufasa
14 TUE
S R
6
01:17 12:50 N
6
Masina Matuatua
15
WED 6
S R
02:18 13:51 N
6
Masina Loloatai
16 THU
S R
6
03:15 14:52 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
17 FRI
3
S R
6
04:08 15:51 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
18 SAT
S R
6
04:55 16:46 N
6
Masina Aiaina
19 SUN
S R
6
05:38 17:39 N
6
Masina Punifaga
20
MON 6
S R
06:18 18:30 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
21 TUE
S R
6
06:55 19:19 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
22
WED 6
S R
07:32 20:07 N
6
Masina Feetetele
23 THU
S R
6
08:08 20:55 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
24 FRI
S R
6
08:46 21:44 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
25 SAT
S R
6
09:26 22:34 N
6
Masina Sulutele
26 SUN
S R
6
10:08 23:25 N
6
2 1 0 -1
27 3
MON 6
S
10:53 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
28 TUE
6
R S
00:16 11:42 N
6
Masina Motusaga
29
WED 6
R S
01:08 12:34 N
6
Masina Tatelega
30 THU
6
Masina Faasagafulu
October
Masina Nauna
R S
01:59 13:28 N
6
2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
1
FRI
6
R S
02:48 14:23 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
2
SAT
6
R S
03:34 15:18 N
6
Masina Fataleu
3
SUN
6
R S
04:19 16:13 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
4
MON 6
R S
05:02 17:08 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
5
TUE
6
R S
05:44 18:04 N
6
Masina Mauna
6
WED 6
R S
06:27 19:02 N
6
Northern Waters near Swains Atoll Apakoa (albacore tuna) is the primary target of the American Samoa longline fleet. The fishery utilizes deep-set hook lines to target apakoa, which it delivers to the StarKist cannery. The fishery is vital to the area as it is the only U.S. albacore fishery and allows StarKist to fulfill government contracts for U.S.-caught tuna with the U.S. military and school lunch programs.
Top - American Samoa‘s longline fishing vessels use deep sets to target apakoa. Photo: Krista Corry. Inset - The fish caught from these vessels are packaged into cans and pouches at the cannery. Photo: Council staff.
Pālolomuli Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
October
Masina Tofilofilo
7
THU
R S
6
07:11 20:02 N
6
8
FRI
R S
6
07:58 21:04 N
6
Masina Tolu
9
SAT
R S
6
08:49 22:09 N
6
Masina Faalao
10 SUN
R S
6
09:45 23:13 N
6
Masina Salefuga
11
R
MON 6
10:44 N
6
Oketopa 7 - Novema 4, 2021 Masina Tulalupe
12 TUE
S R
6
00:16 11:45 N
6
Masina Motuega
13
WED 6
S R
01:12 12:46 N
6
Masina Aufasa
14 THU
S R
6
Masina Matuatua
02:05 13:45 N
6
15 FRI
S R
6
02:53 14:41 N
6
Masina Loloatai
16 SAT
S R
6
03:37 15:34 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
17 SUN
S R
6
04:17 16:25 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
18
MON 6
S R
04:54 17:13 N
6
Masina Aiaina
19 TUE
S R
6
05:30 18:01 N
6
Masina Punifaga
20
WED 6
S R
06:07 18:49 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
21 THU
S R
6
06:44 19:37 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
22 FRI
S R
6
07:22 20:27 N
6
Masina Feetetele
23 SAT
S R
6
08:04 21:18 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
24 SUN
S R
6
08:48 22:09 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
25
MON 6
S R
09:35 23:01 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Nauna
27
WED 6
S
11:18 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
28 THU
6
R S
00:40 12:11 N
6
Masina Motusaga
29 FRI
6
R S
01:26 13:05 N
6
Masina Tatelega
30 SAT
6
R S
02:10 13:59 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
31 SUN
6
Masina Tafaleu
November
-1
R S
02:53 14:53 N
6
1
MON 6
R S
03:34 15:47 N
6
Masina Fataleu
2
TUE
6
R S
04:16 16:43 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
3
WED 6
R S
05:00 17:42 N
6
Masina Mauna
4
THU
6
R S
05:46 18:43 N
6
Masina Sulutele
26 TUE
6
S R
10:25 23:51 N
6
Two Percent Bank (Tulaga-Malumalu) Closer to Tutuila Island than the larger South Bank, Two Percent Bank (also called Tulaga Seamount) is the shallow crest of a submerged ridge extending east from Tutuila. The bank is a favorite fishing location of the alia (traditional double-hulled catamaran) fishermen based in Pago Pago Harbor. While bottomfish can be caught at Two Percent Bank, it has a much smaller reef area than South Bank and is more popular for pelagic trolling. Top left - Alia fishing boats at the floating dock in Fagatogo Village. Photo: Council staff. Bottom left - Fishermen, Nathan Sagapolutele and Sean Felise with a large asiasi (yellowfin tuna) south of Tutuila Island. Center - A blue marlin caught by fishermen Clayton Mahuka and Sagapolutele. Top right - A girl inspecting her father‘s catch. Photos: Nathan Sagapolutele. Inset - An asiasi loin at one of the local restaurants in American Samoa. Photo: Council staff.
November
Taumafamua Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
5
FRI
R S
6
06:36 19:52 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
6
SAT
R S
6
07:31 20:59 N
6
Masina Tolu
7
SUN
R S
6
Masina Faalao
08:31 22:05 N
Novema 5 - Tesema 3, 2021
6
8
MON 6
R S
09:35 23:07 N
6
Masina Salefuga
9
TUE
R
6
10:38 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
10
WED 6
S R
00:03 11:39 N
6
Masina Motuega
11 THU
S R
6
00:52 12:37 N
6
Masina Aufasa
12 FRI
S R
6
01:37 13:31 N
6
Masina Matuatua
13 SAT
S R
6
02:18 14:22 N
6
Masina Loloatai
14 SUN
S R
6
02:55 15:10 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
15
MON 6
S R
03:31 15:58 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
16 TUE
S R
6
04:07 16:45 N
6
Masina Aiaina
17
WED 6
S R
04:43 17:33 N
6
Masina Punifaga
18 THU
S R
6
05:21 18:22 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
19 FRI
S R
6
06:01 19:12 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
20 SAT
S R
6
06:44 20:04 N
6
Masina Feetetele
21 SUN
S R
6
07:31 20:55 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
22
MON 6
S R
08:20 21:46 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
23 TUE
S R
6
09:11 22:35 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
25 THU
6
S
10:57 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
26 FRI
6
R S
00:05 11:49 N
6
Masina Motusaga
27 SAT
6
R S
00:47 12:41 N
6
Masina Tatelega
28 SUN
6
R S
01:27 13:34 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
29
MON 6
R S
02:07 14:27 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
30 TUE
6
Masina Fataleu
December
Masina Nauna
R S
02:49 15:22 N
6
1
WED 6
R S
03:33 16:21 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
2
THU
6
R S
04:21 17:24 N
6
Masina Mauna
3
FRI
6
R S
05:14 18:31 N
6
Masina Sulutele
24
WED 6
S R
10:04 23:22 N
6
Nu‘uuli Pala Lagoon Paalimago (mangrove crab) is a favorite Samoan food. In muddy mangrove habitats such as the Nu‘uuli Pala Lagoon, fishermen catch the crabs by setting net or wire traps baited with fish or chicken. The species was introduced to Hawai‘i in the 1920s to begin a commercial fishery and is known there as Samoan crab.
Left - The Nu‘uuli Pala Lagoon is one of the main habitats of paalimago. Photo: Council staff. Right - Paalimago have powerful claws and must be handled with care. Once a claw locks onto something, it will retain a vice-like grip, even after the claw is detached from the crab’s body. Photo: Gary Walden. Inset - Top-down view of a paalimago. Photo: Keoki Stender.
Toetaumafa December
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
4
SAT
R S
6
06:11 19:44 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
5
SUN
R S
6
07:15 20:51 N
6
Masina Tolu
6
MON 6
R S
08:21 21:52 N
6
Masina Faalao
7
TUE
R S
6
09:26 22:46 N
6
Masina Salefuga
8
WED 6
R S
10:28 23:33 N
6
Tesema 4, 2021 - Ianuari 2, 2022
Masina Tulalupe
9
THU
R
6
11:25 N
6
Masina Motuega
10 FRI
S R
6
00:15 12:18 N
6
Masina Aufasa
11 SAT
S R
6
00:56 13:08 N
6
Masina Matuatua
12 SUN
S R
6
01:33 13:55 N
6
Masina Loloatai
13
MON 6
S R
02:08 14:43 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
14 TUE
S R
6
02:44 15:30 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
15
WED 6
S R
03:21 16:18 N
6
Masina Aiaina
16 THU
S R
6
04:00 17:08 N
6
Masina Punifaga
17 FRI
S R
6
04:42 17:59 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
18 SAT
S R
6
05:28 18:51 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
19 SUN
S R
6
06:16 19:42 N
6
Masina Feetetele
20
MON 6
S R
07:07 20:32 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
21 TUE
S R
6
08:00 21:20 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
22
WED 6
S R
08:52 22:04 N
6
Masina Sulutele
23 THU
S R
6
09:45 22:46 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Nauna
24 FRI
6
S R
10:36 23:26 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
25 SAT
6
S
11:27 N
6
Masina Motusaga
26 SUN
6
R S
00:04 12:18 N
6
Masina Tatelega
27
MON 6
R S
00:43 13:10 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
28 TUE
6
R S
01:24 14:05 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
29
WED 6
R S
02:08 15:04 N
6
Masina Fataleu
30 THU
6
R S
02:57 16:06 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
31 FRI
6
Masina Fanoloa
January
-1
R S
03:52 17:13 N
6
1
SAT
6
R S
04:53 18:21 N
6
Masina Mauna
2
SUN
6
R S
05:56 19:32 N
6
Leone Bay Whether by gleaning during low tide or snorkeling with a spear, harvesting fe‘e (octopus) is a favorite pastime in American Samoa. One of the most important spirit gods of ancient Samoa, the fe‘e was associated with war and power. Structures were built in its honor. Today, fishermen poke around the holes and crevices in the reefs of Sogi Village along the eastern edge of Leone Bay searching for this crafty predator. The fe‘e makes up a significant portion of the marine invertebrates harvested locally.
Left and right - The elusive, but highly sought after, fe‘e. Left photo: National Park of American Samoa, right photo: Pacific Islands Fisheries Group. Inset - A traditional Samoan fe‘e lure made of a cowrie shell, stone, wood and coconut husk fibers.
Utuvāmua January
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
3
MON 6
R S
07:03 20:31 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
4
TUE
R S
6
08:09 21:23 N
6
Masina Tolu
5
WED 6
R S
09:10 22:09 N
6
Ianuari 3 - Ianuari 31, 2022 Masina Faalao
6
THU
R S
6
10:07 22:50 N
6
Masina Salefuga
7
FRI
R S
6
11:00 23:29 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
8
SAT
R
6
11:50 N
6
Masina Motuega
9
SUN
S R
6
00:05 12:38 N
6
Masina Aufasa
10
MON 6
S R
00:44 13:26 N
6
Masina Matuatua
11 TUE
S R
6
01:20 14:14 N
6
Masina Loloatai
12
WED 6
S R
01:59 15:03 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Malupeaua
13 THU
S R
6
02:40 15:54 N
6
Masina Mãtofitofi
14 FRI
S R
6
03:24 16:45 N
6
Masina Aiaina
15 SAT
S R
6
04:12 17:37 N
6
Masina Punifaga
16 SUN
S R
6
05:02 18:28 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
17
MON 6
S R
05:54 19:17 N
6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
18 TUE
S R
6
06:48 20:03 N
6
Masina Feetetele
19
WED 6
S R
07:41 20:46 N
6
Masina Ataatatai
20 THU
S R
6
08:33 21:26 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
21 FRI
S R
6
09:24 22:05 N
6
Masina Sulutele
22 SAT
3 2 1 0 -1
23 SUN
6
S R
11:06 23:22 N
6
Masina Usunoa May
24
MON 6
S
11:58 N
6
Masina Motusaga
25 TUE
6
R S
00:03 12:53 N
6
Masina Tatelega
26
WED 6
R S
00:49 13:52 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Moon-Related Observations and Activities: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
Masina Faasagafulu
27 THU
6
R S
01:39 14:55 N
6
Masina Tafaleu
28 FRI
6
R S
02:35 16:00 N
6
Masina Fataleu
29 SAT
6
R S
03:37 17:05 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
30 SUN
6
R S
04:42 18:08 N
6
Masina Mauna
31
MON 6
February
Masina Nauna
R S
05:46 19:08 N
6
6
S R
10:15 22:43 N
6
Front cover - Village members prepare lau (braided coconut fronds) and trap schools of fish near the shore where they are collected in nets and shared among the residents. Photo: National Park of American Samoa. Back cover - High school students fish in Fagatogo Village during the Council’s fisheries summer course. Photo: Joseph Fa’aita.
About This Calendar
About the Council
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has produced traditional lunar calendars for American Samoa since 2007. These calendars follow the traditional Samoan calendar months and are designed to be a resource for the community to learn about the moon phases and their relationship with the tides. The calendar is also a tool for fishermen to plan fishing trips.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council was established by Congress in 1976 to manage fisheries in the offshore waters surrounding Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas.
The 2021 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar highlights 13 fishing grounds and provides information on the various fisheries in the territory as well as the various gear types and targeted species. Special acknowledgement to the American Samoa Advisory Panel members who identified the locations and species. The lunar months, moon phases and traditional calendar months are given in Samoan, the native language of the people of American Samoa.The moon phases in this calendar are for Pago Pago harbor as calculated by the HM Nautical Almanac (astro.ukho.gov.uk/websurf). The tide charts with moon rise and set times were provided by OceanFun Publishing, NZ.
WPRFC-Amerika-Samoa-Calendar-2021.indd 28
The fisheries in federal waters surrounding American Samoa are managed under the American Samoa Archipelago and Pacific Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plans. Traditional knowledge and wide community involvement are integral parts of the ecosystem-based approach to fishery management.
Published in the United States by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council under NOAA Award NA20NMF4410013. © 2020, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council ISBN 978-1-944827-71-7
American Samoa Contacts Council Chair Taotasi Archie Soliai Phone: (684) 644-2440 Email: asoliai@hotmail.com Council Vice Chair Howard Dunham Phone: (684) 258-0417 Email: taloloahd@gmail.com Council Member Va‘amua Henry Sesepasara American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Phone: (684) 633-4456 Email: hsesepasara@gmail.com American Samoa Coordinator Nate Ilaoa Phone: (684) 272-2630 Email: nate.ilaoa@wpcouncil.org Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone: (808) 522-8220 | Fax: (808) 522-8226 Email: info@wpcouncil.org Web: www.wpcouncil.org
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