Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar
2017
Lavenia Fata • Leone Midkiff Elementary School • Third Place, Grades 6–8
Januari 28– Fepuari 26, 2017
Toeutuva¯ 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
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
I‘asina (young goatfish) Masani ona tele i le vaitau o Oketopa–Aperila. Commonly caught during October–April.
When there is a shortage of food, particularly of taro, the taro leaves are eaten. Hence, when a village finds itself in a difficult situation and lacks experienced chiefs, one says: Ia saosao lautalo. Collect the taro leaves. Meaning: We are in a critical situation; therefore every matai (chief) should attend the meeting and express his opinion so that the right solution may be reached.
6
Da In Myung • South Pacific Academy • Second Place, Grades 9–12
Fepuari 27– Mati 27, 2017
Fa‘aafu 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
6
Masina Maunā
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.
E ala i aso. Some days one is lucky. The literal meaning of ala is to be awake. E ala le faiva. The fishing expedition was successful. Usage: When a fishing expedition, a hunt or another undertaking has been successful.
Masina Sulutele
6
N
6
Ethan Lake • Pacific Horizons School • Third Place, Grades K–2
Mati 28– Aperila 25, 2017
F¯anoga 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
6
Masina Maunā
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 se va‘a e lalago. Like an upright alia fishing boat. Applied to a reliable, upright person; also applied to a village or family in which peace and union reign.
Masina Sulutele
6
N
6
Nina Bianca Vergara • Pacific Horizons School • First Place, Grades 9–12
Aperila 26 – Me 25, 2017
Aununu 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
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
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.
Sao amo. The village of Anoama‘a had to make food offerings of ‘ava‘ava fish to Chief Lemana of Lufilufi. The offerings were called “amo,” the literal meaning of which is “carrying-stick.” When the chief was satisfied, the people said: Ua sao amo (It went well with the amo). Used after difficulties have been overcome, a job completed, etc. Also used in the form of Ia sao amo and Ua le sao amo.
6
Amelie Chen • Pacific Horizons School • Third Place, Grades 3–5
Me 26 –Iuni 23, 2017
Oloa¯manu 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
Masina Sulutele
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.
E tasi le fa'aafi, 'ae felatilati. Fa'aafi translates to the sheet and boom of a canoe. Felatilati refers to being sufficient or adequate. The saying, then, could be translated: To turn about only once, but it is sufficient. It pictures a boat that reaches its destination with a single tack.
N
6
Lyn Seok • Pacific Horizons School • Third Place, Grades 3–5
Iuni 24 –Iulai 22, 2017
Lotuaga 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
Masina Sulutele
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
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.
Fa‘atolo le tutu. The saying refers to fishing. Tutu here means that the net is not deep enough; tolo, to move the net forward in order to surround a certain area.
N
6
Shammah Taefu • Kanana Fou Elementary School • Second Place, Grades 6–8
Iulai 23– Aukuso 21, 2017
Tu‘iefu 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
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
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 faiva aulima tautala. With speaking it is as with hauling in the fish line. Used to beg pardon for having given offence in a speech. The fisherman hauls in the line with a backward motion of his hand (faiva aulima). An incorrect movement will lead to the loss of the fish.
N
6
Sophie Young • South Pacific Academy • Third Place, Grades 9–12
Aukuso 22– Setema 19, 2017
Mulif¯a 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
6
Masina Maunā
6
N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
I‘amanu (Whale) E masani ona va‘ai i lenei vaitau. Sightings of whales common during this period.
Fa‘atagitagi niu malili. The married couple sat under a coconut tree and waited until the nuts fell down, as they were too lazy to pluck them.
Masina Sulutele
6
N
6
Troy Ilaoa • Pacific Horizons School • First Place, Grades K–2
Setema 20– Oketopa 19, 2017
P¯alolomua 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
Masina Loloatai
6
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
Masina Sulutele
6
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
Masina Maunā
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.
Ia ‘oso ‘ati‘ati. Dig out even the small pieces (of yam). ‘Oso is the Samoan planting stick used both for planting and for digging up yam. The saying is used when there is a food shortage.
6
N
6
Olivia Yoon • Pacific Horizons School • Second Place, Grades 3–5
Oketopa 20– Novema 18, 2017
P¯alolomuli 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
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
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.
Fa'atagitagi ula. To call intently like the crayfish. Crayfish are caught in the lagoon by means of lobster baskets. If only a little crayfish is found in the basket at the early morning visit, it is left there until evening. According to the Samoans it will cry loudly until its big companions come to keep it company in the basket.
6
Toto Sipelii • Pacific Horizons School • Third Place, Grades K–2
Novema 19– Tesema 18, 2017
Taumafamua 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
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 Punifaga
6
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
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
Masina Maunā
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.
Na o le taeao o faiva. One should go fishing (hunting) only in the morning. The early morning hour is the most suitable time for the sport. The saying is also applied to other things that should be done in the early morning, such as setting out on a journey.
N
6
Regan Duffy • Pacific Horizons School • Fourth Place, Grades 3–5
Tesema 19, 2017 – Ianuari 16, 2018
Toetaumafa 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
Masina Sulutele
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
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.
E le se fe ‘e na tu tula. Not like the octopus that sits wounded in its cave. Used to welcome a high chief: You are in our midst, honored and respected by all. You are not like the octopus that hides in its cave when it has been wounded by another fish.
N
6
Merciful Pule • Leone Midkiff Elementary School • Third Place, Grades 6–8
Ianuari 17– Fepuari 15, 2018
Utuv¯amua January
Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia
17
R S
6
06:42 19:42 N
6
Masina Tofilofilo
18
R S
6
07:32 20:25 N
6
Masina Tolu
19
R S
6
08:21 21:07 N
6
Masina Faalao
20
R S
6
09:11 21:48 N
6
Masina Salefuga
21
R S
6
10:00 22:29 N
6
Masina Tulalupe
22
R S
6
10:51 23:11 N
6
Masina Motuega
23
R S
6
11:42 23:54 N
6
Masina Aufasa
24
R
6
12:35 N
6
Masina Matuatua
25
S R
6
00:39 13:31 N
6
Masina Loloatai
26
S R
6
01:27 14:30 N
6
3 2 1 0
Masina Malupeaua
27 SAT
S R
6
02:20 15:31 N
6
Masina Mātofitofi
28 SUN 6
S R
03:18 16:34 N
6
Masina Aiaina
29 MON 6
S R
04:19 17:36 N
6
Masina Punifaga
30 TUE
S R
6
05:23 18:36 N
6
Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina
31 WED 6
Masina Le‘ale‘a
February
-1
S R
06:27 19:32 N
6
1
THU
S R
6
07:30 20:24 N
6
Masina Feetetele
Masina Ataatatai
2
3
FRI
S R
6
08:29 21:12 N
6
SAT
S R
6
09:26 21:57 N
6
Masina Fagaeleele
4
SUN
S R
6
10:19 22:39 N
6
Masina Sulutele
5
MON 6
S R
11:11 23:21 N
6
3 2 1 0 -1
Masina Nauna
6
TUE
6
S
12:02 N
6
Masina UsunoaMay
7
WED 6
R S
00:02 12:51 N
6
Masina Motusaga
Masina Tatelega
8
9
TH U
6
R S
00:44 13:41 N
6
FRI
6
R S
01:27 14:30 N
6
Masina Faasagafulu
10 SAT
6
R S
02:13 15:19 N
6
Masina Tāfaleu
11 SUN
6
R S
02:59 16:07 N
6
Masina Fataleu
12
MON 6
R S
03:48 16:54 N
6
Masina Mitiloa
13 TUE
6
R S
04:37 17:40 N
6
Masina Fanoloa
14
WED 6
R S
05:27 18:25 N
6
Masina Maunā
15 THU
3 2 1 0 -1
Savane (Common blue-stripe snapper) Maua i le tu‘utu‘u i le vaelua'aga o le po. Caught by bottomfish gear, mostly on nights with bright moonlight.
Molia tai o‘o. Carried along by the flood tide. The flood tide carries the salt water fish into the rivers. When the tide recedes the fish, in the belief they are in the sea, remain behind and are often stranded (pa‘ulia). Applied to a person who thoughtlessly rushes into an undertaking and then finds himself in trouble.
6
R S
06:17 19:06 N
6
About This Calendar The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 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 the names of the moon phase and months. After the 2009 calendar, the Council convened a workshop with the American Samoa Community College’s Samoan Studies Institute (SSI), American Samoa’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Office of Samoan Affairs, involving participants from other local organizations, fishermen, elders and the general public as well as the Apia Fisheries Division. This 2017 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar incorporates recommenda tions from the workshop as well as research by SSI’s Okenaisa Fauolo, Teleiai Ausage and Apisaloma Toleloa in 2010 throughout Tutuila as well as Upolu and Manono in Samoa and the recommendations of a lunar calendar focus group conducted by Q-Mark Research on behalf of the Council in 2012. The Council will continue to work with the American Samoa community to incorporate more of the focus group suggestions in future calendars.
2017 Annual Catch Limits for Federally Managed Species in American Samoa FISHERY
MANAGEMENT UNIT SPECIES (MUS)
ACL (IN LBS)
Bottomfish
Bottomfish multi-species stock complex.................. 106,000
Crustaceans
Deepwater Shrimp..................................................80,000
Spiny Lobster........................................................... 4,845
Slipper Lobster ............................................................. 30
Kona Crab................................................................3,200
Precious Coral
Black Coral..................................................................790
Precious Corals in the Guam Exploratory Area..............2,205
Coral Reef Ecosystem Atule (Selar crumenophthalmus; bigeye scad)............ 37,400
Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)...........235
Chubs/rudderfish (Kyphosidae)...................................2,000
Crustaceans (Crabs other than Kona crab)....................4,300
Emperors (Lethrinidae)............................................ 19,600
Goatfish (Mullidae).................................................. 11,900
Groupers (Serranidae).............................................. 25,300
The moon phases in this calendar are for Pago Pago 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.
Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse (Cheilinus undulates)..... 1,743
Jacks (Carangidae)................................................... 19,900
Mollusks (Turbo snail; octopus; giant clams)............. 18,400
The illustrations in the calendar are the winning entries of the student art contest held in American Samoa on the theme of “Fishing and Farming to the Cycles of the Moon and Seasons.” A special thanks to the teachers and schools that participated and to the art contest judges: Gabby Faaiuaso, film maker and digital media artist; Pua Tofaeono, artist; and Council staff.
Mullets (Mugilidae)...................................................4,600
Parrotfish (Scaridae)1 ........................................... 272,000
About the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 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 US 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.
American Samoa Contacts Council Vice Chair Christinna Lutu Sanchez Phone: (684) 633-7675 Email: chrissy.lutu@gmail.com Council Member Archie Taotasi Soliai Phone: (684) 258-2770 Email: asoliai@hotmail.com Council Member Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga American Samoa Department and Wildlife Resources Phone: (684) 633-5102 Email: ruth.tofiga@dmwr.as.gov American Samoa Advisory Panel Chair Krsta Corry Phone: (684) 699-6477 Email: khcorry97@yahoo.com Council On-Site Coordinator Nathan Ilaoa Phone: (684) 252-3175 Email: nate.ilaoa@wpcouncil.org Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
Rabbitfish (Siganidae)...................................................163
Reef Sharks (Carcharhinidae)...................................... 1,615
Snappers (Lutjanidae).............................................. 63,100
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
Squirrelfish (Holocentridae)..................................... 15,100
ISBN 978-1-944827-03-8
Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae).................................... 129,400 Wrasses (Labridae)2. ............................................... 16,200
All Other Coral Reef Ecosystem MUS combined..........18,400
Note: ACLs are not specified for most pelagic species because they are subject to international fishing agreements or have life cycles of less than a year and are thus exempted from the ACL requirement. 1 Family Scaridae does not include bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) 2 Family Labridae does not include humphead or Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
Front cover art: Arianne Andrei Adriano • South Pacific Academy • First Place, Grades 6–8
A publication pursuant to NOAA Award No. NA14NMF4520236. Copyright 2017, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council