2016 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

2016

About the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

2016 Annual Catch Limits for Federally Managed Species (MUS) in American Samoa*

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 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.

The 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that federally managed fisheries are regulated through annual catch limits (ACLs). ACLs are not specified for most pelagic species in the Western Pacific Region because they are subject to international fishing agreements or have life cycles of less than a year and are thus exempt from the ACL requirement.

I‘a o le ilititai (bottomfish complex caught by bottomfish methods) Filoa, gatala, malauli, palu & sapoanae (emperor, grouper, amberjack, snapper & trevally or jack).......................................................................................... 106,000 Meaola o le sami e faiuga (crustaceans) Pa‘a (Kona crab).....................................................................................................3,200 Papata (slipper lobster)................................................................................................30 Ula or ula sami (spiny lobster)..................................................................................4,845 Ula (deep-water shrimp)........................................................................................ 80,000 Amu taua (precious coral) Amu auro (gold coral)................................................................................................... 0 Amu piniki-mumu & amu ofe (red, pink & bamboo coral)............................................ 2,205 Amu uliuli (black coral)...............................................................................................790

ISBN 978-1-937863-87-6

Ikosite o le aau (coral reef ecosystem or CRE) Alili, fe‘e & faisua (turbo snail, octopus & giant clam)............................................... 18,400 ‘Anae (mullet)........................................................................................................4,600 Atule (bigeye scad)............................................................................................... 37,400 Fuga (parrotfish, not including bumphead parrotfish)............................................. 272,000 Gatala (groupers not caught by bottomfish methods).............................................. 25,300 Sugale (wrasses except humphead or Napoleon wrasse)........................................... 16,200 Lalafi, tagafa & malakea (<30cm, 30-75cm & >75cm humphead or Napoleon wrasse).... 1,743 Lo- or Loloa (rabbitfish)................................................................................................ 163 Malau (soldierfish & squirrelfish)............................................................................ 15,100 Malie (reef sharks).................................................................................................. 1,615 Mata‘ele‘ele, ulamalusi or filoa (emperor not caught by bottomfish method)............. 19,600 Nanue (chub or rudderfish)......................................................................................2,000 Pa‘a (crab not listed in crustacean section)................................................................4,300 Mu (shallow-water snapper not caught by bottomfish method)................................ 63,100 Pone, palagi or ume (surgeonfish not, bristletooth & unicornfish)........................... 129,400 Lupo, melauli, ulua or sapoanae (trevally or jack not caught by bottomfish method)... 19,900 Uluto‘i (bumphead parrotfish)....................................................................................235 All other CREMUS combined.................................................................................. 18,400

Front cover art: Yeon Hee Lee, South Pacific Academy, First Place, Grades 6–8

* Species list with scientific names can be found at www.wpcouncil.org/ managed-fishery-ecosystems/annual-catch-limits/2015-2018-annual-catch-limits

A publication of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council pursuant to NOAA Award No. NA14NMF4520236.

Copyright 2015, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

About This Calendar The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has produced traditional lunar calendars for American Samoa since 2007.

The initial productions were based on information from books written about Samoa by scholars such as Brother Henry, Kramer, Turner and Stair, as well as information collected by Talking Chief Teleiai Ausage. A more elaborate interview with Rev. Elder Oka Fauolo helped complete all the names of the moon phases, as well as the names of the months. When the 2009 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar was distributed, the community gave much positive feedback and also asked for definitions of Samoan terms used in the calendar.

To improve on the lunar calendar, the WPRFMC convened a workshop on the island of Tutuila, American Samoa, in partnership with the Samoan Studies Institute (SSI) of the American Samoa Community College, American Samoa’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Office of Samoan Affairs. The workshop involved participants from other American Samoa organizations, fishermen, elders and members of the general public as well as the Apia Fisheries Division in the Independent State of Samoa.

The illustrations in the calendar are the winning entries of the student art contest held in American Samoa on the theme “Traditional Navigation, Seafaring and Fishing.” Teachers were encouraged to have their students prepare for the contest by reflecting on a set of questions that were provided and then watching interviews of four traditional navigators and seafarers available at https://vimeo.com/143950507. The complete interviews of each individual are available at http://www.wpcouncil.org/education-andoutreach/educational-videos-4/. Teachers were encouraged to explain their completed artwork to their classmates.

Judges for this year’s competition were Duffy Hudson, a renowned, local artist and tattooist and owner of Tatau Manaia art studio; Donald Lee Hoffman, the American Samoa Department of Education’s art coordinator in the Office of Curriculum; and Trevor Kaituu, a talented artist and the outreach coordinator for the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group housed in the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

This 2016 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar takes into account recommendations from the workshop as well as research conducted by Okenaisa Fauolo, Teleiai Ausage and Apisaloma Toleafoa of the SSI in 2010 with villagers throughout Tutuila as well as with the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Samoa’s Fishery Division and Meteorological Office, and tautai (experts of the seas), including High Chief Mulipola Perenise of Manono Tai and High Talking Chief Levaa Sauaso of Apolima Tai, and High Chief Faasavalu, on the islands of Upolu and Manono in Samoa. The 2015 calendar also includes the annual catch limits for federally fisheries in American Samoa. The Council will continue to work with the American Samoa community to improve and enhance in future calendars.

The explanations of each lunar month in the calendar were provided by the SSI. Information on the local fish for each month was provided by Selaina Vaitautolu of the American Samoa DMWR and Fini Aitaoto, the former WPRFMC on-site coordinator in American Samoa. The proverbs are from Alaga‘upa Fa‘a Samoa II at http://scanman9.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/ sitebuilderfiles/alagaupu2.htm and were selected by Nate Ilaoa, the WPRFMC on-site coordinator in American Samoa. The tide charts and moon rise and set times are for Pago Pago (Samoa standard time) provided by OceanFun Publishing, NZ. The moon phases were calculated using the HM Nautical Almanac Office (astro.ukho.gov.uk/websurf) as guidance. The project was coordinated by Ilaoa and Sylvia Spalding, WPRFMC communications officer.

Vaiausia Kruse, South Pacific Academy, Honorable Mention, Grades K–2

John Afalava, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Third Place, Grades 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5

Fepuari 9 – Mati 8, 2016

Toeutuva¯

Vaitau mulimuli e toe eli ai ufi vao.

Final harvesting of wild yams.

February 9 – March 8, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

Masina Aufasa

6

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Punifaga

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

Masina Ataatatai

6

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Alogo (Lined surgeonfish) I‘a pito i ta‘atele i a‘au ma aloalo, faapea fagotaga Alogo is very common in near-shore reefs and is the most caught species by near-shore free divers.

Ua ‘ou seuseu ma le fata. [I am fishing because I have helped to make a fata.]

The tulavae is a portion of the fish net made by one person. All the tulavae made by a section of the village are joined into a fata. The fata forms the complete net. A person who has supplied a tulavae for the fata is entitled to take part in the fishing and to share in the catch. The saying means: I have the right to take part in the discussion.

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

Wallace Sola, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5

Mati 9 – Aperila 6, 2016 March 9 – April 6, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

Fa‘aafu

O le vaitau e foliga pula ai ufi ma laau. E amata toto ai toaga fou.

The period when yams and crops’ leaves begin to turn yellowish in color. Also indicates time to grow new crops.

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Punifaga

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Filoa (Emperor fish) E tele ituaiga o lenei i‘a e maua i le tu‘tu‘u.

Several species are caught by bottomfish gear and very common in bottomfish landings.

Ua tu‘u i tai le va‘a tele. [The big net has been spread out in the sea] Va‘a tele (big boat) is used figuratively for ‘upega tele (big net) When a village is making a new net, the nearby villages are not allowed to fish for some time before its completion. They may resume fishing, however, a little while after the new net has been tried out for the first time.

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

Seol Hee Lee, South Pacific Academy, Second Place, Grades 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12

Aperila 7 – Me 6, 2016 April 7 – May 6, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

Lo

O le vaitau e ae ai le ia o le lo Month when the lo (rabbitfishes or large school of juveniles) is in large quantity and ideal for fishing.

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Palu-malau (Red snapper fish) O se i‘a mumu e maua i le tu‘utu‘u ma e taugata pe a fa‘atau mai.

Red and relatively expensive fish.

Fa‘atilotilo masae. [To look, like a fish, for a hole in the net.]

To search for resolution to a dilemma.

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Denira Siimalevai, Tafuna High School, Third Place, Grades 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12

Me 7 – Iuni 4, 2016 May 7 – June 4, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Aununu

O le masina e nunu ai le toau o ufi. O le tuaoi o timuga ma mugala.

Month that cultivated yams are matured. Intermediary month between rainy and sunny season.

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Punifaga

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Sa‘ula-lele (Sailfish) E maua i le toso, e maua ai fo‘i fa‘ailoga i tauvaga faigafaiva.

Caught by trolling and a prized fish during fishing tournaments.

Le I‘a a tautai e alu i le fa‘alolo. [The fish seems to do the will of the tautai (chief fisherman).]

When the fish see an opening in the net, they swim to the place where the tautai stands as if they obeyed him. The tautai alone has the right to push down the net and catch the fish. The key to the proverb is obedience.

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

AJ Sagapolutele, Pacific Horizons School, Second Place, Grades Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;2

Iuni 5 – Iulai 4, 2016

Oloa¯manu

O le vaitau e olo ma tausani fiafia ai manu felelei.

Season of birds singing and calm weather.

June 5 – July 4, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

3 2 1 0 -1

Atule (Bigeye scad) E maua i le ofe po‘o le lau a le nu‘u, ma sa fa‘asa ona fa‘aatau.

Caught by bamboo rods, rod and reel or the village’s traditional “lau” and not supposed to be sold but shared.

O le va‘a si‘i vale la‘u lauga nei. [My speech is like a canoe launched without a sufficient reason.]

The matter on which I am now going to speak does not really concern me, and I am overstepping my rights in taking the word. However, as my opinion may be of some value to you, I will express it and, at the same time, beg your pardon for my tactless interference

6

Victor Chen, Pacific Horizons School, Second Place, Grades 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8

Iulai 5 – Aukuso 2, 2016 July 5 – August 2, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

Pa¯lolomua

Matalatala fuga o laau, pāpā foi o fatu laau.

Initial period for budding of flowering seeds and the blooming of flowers.

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Punifaga

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Umelei (Unicornfish) O le masina lenei e lololo tele ai ma manaia i le taumafa lenei i‘a.

Caught by bamboo rods, rod and reel or the village’s traditional Fatty and delicious during this period.

O le upega e fili i le po, ‘ae talatala i le ao. [The net that became entangled in the night will be disentangled in the morning.]

For a certain kind of night fishing the Samoans use a particular net called tapo. After the catch, the net is carried ashore and hung up.

The following morning it is properly put in order. In order to settle a dispute, it is necessary to be clear about its causes.

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

Noel T. Tuitasi, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Second Place, Grades 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5

Aukuso 3– 31, 2016

Pa¯lolomuli

Matalatala mulimuli o fuga o laau.

Final budding of flowering seeds and blooming of flowers.

August 3 – 31, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Punifaga

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

3 2 1 0 -1

I‘amanu (Whale) E masani ona va‘ai i lenei vaitau.

Sightings of whales common during this period.

O le poto a lauloa. [The wisdom shows at lauloa fishing.]

Referring to a matai who has no vote in the village or family council and who yet insists on giving instruction and advice, which everyone will ignore. At lauloa fishing some men must mind the net lest it become entangled and tear in the stones and coral slabs, while the others are dragging it.

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

Nina Bianca Vergara, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12

Setema 1 – 30, 2016 September 1– 30, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Mulifa

Vaitau o mugala. O le masina foi ua afu ai meatoto poo ua matutua lelei.

Season of droughts and dry sunny days. Also the time when field crops are maturing.

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masimasi (Dolphinfish) E maua i le toso, e maua ai fa‘ailoga i tauvaga faigafaiva, ma e lelei i le oka.

Caught by trolling, prized fish in tournaments and great for oka.

Fa‘aui lau lavea. [To disentangle the coconut-leaf net.]

This is used of someone who tries to prevent or settle a dispute.

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Lyn Seok, Pacific Horizons School, First Place, Grades Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;2

Oketopa 1– 30, 2016

Lotuaga

Amata le vaitau o timuga ma uaga.

Beginning of the rainy season.

October 1– 30, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Palolo (polychaete worm) E taua tele i tagata matutua ma e ta ia Oketopa po‘o Novema i tausaga uma.

Delicacy especially for the elderly, seined in October and/or November each year.

E ta‘ape a fatauati. [The collapse of the heap of stones.]

Fatauati (also known as pa i‘a) is a heap of stones erected under water in the lagoon to attract fish.

When this contraption has been destroyed deliberately or otherwise, the fishermen will come to rebuild it.

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Kaitlyn Gaisoa, Pacific Horizons School, Third Place, Grades Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;2

Oketopa 31 – Novema 29, 2016

Taimi e tele ai mea taumafa, aemaise le maua o le ia o le palolo.

Initial period of the season of food abundance, especially with the palolo fish.

October 31 – November 29, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

Masina Faalao

6

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Taumafamua

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

Masina Tatelega

6

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

6

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Malau (Squirrelfish) E masani ona tele ma fa‘atau i tafaala i lenei vaitau.

Many usually caught during this period, and “strings of malau” are sold at roadsides.

A tulituliloa ‘ua o le mago i Foa? [Is he to be pursued like the shark of Foa?] Once upon a time a mago (species of shark) and a pa‘itele (a sea monster about which little is known) had a fight. The mago fled towards Savai‘i followed by the pa‘itele. On the coast near Asau the shark crept into a submarine cave. The pa‘itele tried to follow, but it was so big that it got stuck. The mago escaped through a side opening. Later the shark went to Foa and proposed to Sinafalemoa, the daughter of the chief. As he was rejected, he died of grief. This is why he is known as the Shark of Foa. This is used when one is pursued by misfortune.

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Joymer Caloyloy, Kanana Fou Elementary School, Honorable Mention, Grades 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5

Novema 30, 2016 – Tesema 28, 2016

Toetaumafa

Faaiuiu taumafa mai le masina ua tuanai.

Final period of the season for food abundance.

November 30, 2016 – December 28, 2016 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

Masina Faalao

6

6

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

Masina Motuega

6

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

Masina Punifaga

6

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

Masina Feetetele

6

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

Masina Tatelega

6

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

Masina Fataleu

6

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

N

3 2 1 0 -1

Atu (Skipjack) O le i‘a e maua so‘o i le toso a‘o fa‘aaogaina paopao i aso anamua, e fa‘aaoga tele i le oka Samoa.

The most common fish in trolling landings using “paopao” in the past and the preferred fish for oka.

O le malie ma le tu‘u malie. [Every shark must be paid for.]

After the first shark is caught in a new boat, the owner receives a gift of food. This gift is known as tu‘u malie or payment for the shark. The saying refers to “retribution” in a good and in a bad sense.

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

Leuiteouiono Lefaele, Alofau Elementary School, Third Place, Grades 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8

Tesema 29, 2016– Ianuari 27, 2017 December 29, 2016 – January 27, 2017 Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

N

6

Masina Tolu

6

N

6

Masina Faalao

6

Utuva¯mua

Vaitau e eli ai ufi vao a o le‘i oo i le taimi e afu ai ufi totō.

Initial harvesting of wild yams prior to the maturation of cultivated yams.

N

6

Masina Salefuga

6

N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

N

6

Masina Motuega

6

N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

N

6

Masina Matuatua

6

N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

6

N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

N

6

Masina Aiaina

6

N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

6

N

6

6

N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

6

N

6

Masina Feetetele

6

N

6

Masina Ataatatai

6

N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

6

N

6

Masina Sulutele

6

N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

6

N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

6

N

6

Masina Motusaga

6

N

6

Masina Tatelega

6

N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

6

N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

6

N

6

Masina Fataleu

6

N

6

Masina Mitiloa

6

3 2 1 0 -1

I‘asina (young goatfish) Masani ona tele i le vaitau o Oketopa–Aperila.

Commonly caught during October–April.

Amuia le masina, e alu ma toe sau. [That lucky moon gets to come back after it sets. ] People are not so fortunate. We only get to pass through this life one time.

N

6

Masina Fanoloa

6

N

6

Masina Maunā

6

N

6

Jade Cox, Pacific Horizons School, Honorable Mention, Grades 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8

Milton Tuatagaloa Toleafoa, Leone High School, Honorable Mention, Grades 9â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12

American Samoa Contacts Council Vice Chair Taulapapa William Sword Phone: (684) 633-4101 Email: sword.william@gmail.com Council Member Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Tuia Poumele Phone: (684) 633-4251 Email: claire.poumele@pa.as.gov Council Member Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Phone: (684) 633-5102 Email: ruth.tofiga@dmwr.as.gov Council On-Site Coordinator Nathan Ilaoa Phone: (684) 252-3175 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@noaa.gov Web : www.wpcouncil.org ISBN 978-1-937863-87-6