2019 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

2019

NOV. 8, 2018 –JAN. 23, 2020

Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar

About This Calendar well as the Apia Fisheries Division. In 2010, the Council contracted SSI’s Okenaisa Fauolo, Teleiai Ausage and Apisaloma Toleloa to conduct research throughout Tutuila as well as Upolu and Manono in Samoa.

In 2012, the Council contracted Q-Mark Research to conduct a focus group on the American Samoa fishing community’s viewpoints about the calendars to inform future productions.

The 2019 Amerika Samoa Lunar Calendar recognizes the traditional fishing methods employed by Youth making fish, banana and breadfruit in the umu. PHOTO COURTESY OF LOTE AIUMU. the indigenous people of American Samoa.

The calendar provides The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management traditional fishing information for a different species Council has produced traditional lunar calendars for each month, highlighting methods, gears, seasons and American Samoa since 2007. The initial productions cultural significance. The calendar reflects continued were based on information from books written about work with the American Samoa community to create Samoa by scholars such as Brother Henry, Kramer, a calendar that recognizes the importance of island Turner and Stair, as well as information collected cultures and traditional fishing practices in managing

by Talking Chief Teleiai Ausage. A more elaborate fishery resources and to foster opportunities for their interview with Rev. Elder Oka Fauolo helped complete participation, which is one of the Council’s seven the names of the moon phases and months. After the Guiding Principles.

2009 calendar, the Council convened a workshop with Special acknowledgments to Brian Thompson for the American Samoa Community College’s Samoan the Samoan language editing and to the National Studies Institute (SSI), American Samoa Department Park Service (NPS) and others who are noted in this of Marine and Wildlife Resources and the Office of calendar for their photo contributions. Sources of Samoa Affairs, involving participants from other local information found in the calendar include Historic agencies, fishermen, elders and the general public as

Fishing Methods in American Samoa by David Herdrich, MA, and Karen Armstrong, PhD, 2008 (American Samoa Historic Preservation Office); The Samoa Islands: Material Culture by Augustin Krämer, 1995; and Samoan Proverbs on Fishing (http://scanman9.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/ sitebuilderfiles/alagaupu2.htm).

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. The front cover is by American Samoa artist Duffy Hudson. It portrays the legend of Sina, a Samoan girl who was the most beautiful woman in all of the islands, and Tuna, a common freshwater eel of the South Pacific islands that inhabits many island streams.

Young larval tuna spend their early life adrift in the sea and return to freshwater when adults. According to stories widespread across the Pacific, the King of Fiji, the Tui Fiti, heard about the beauty of Sina and decided to go there to win her for his wife. Using all his powers of Fijian magic Tui Fiti turned himself into a young tuna and swam with the ocean currents to Samoa. To read the full version of this well-known legend, visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/historyculture/sinatuna.htm.

A publication of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council pursuant to NOAA Award NA14NMF4520236. © 2018, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

ISBN 978-1-944827-29-8

Taumafamua November

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

8

THU

R S

6

06:48 19:48 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

9

FRI

R S

6

07:35 20:41 N

6

Masina Tolu

10 SAT

R S

6

08:23 21:33 N

6

Masina Faalao

11 SUN

R S

6

09:12 22:23 N

6

Novema 8– Tesema 6, 2018

Masina Salefuga

12

MON 6

R S

10:02 23:11 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

13 TUE

R S

6

10:52 23:56 N

6

Masina Motuega

14

R

WED 6

11:41 N

6

Masina Aufasa

15 THU

S R

6

00:40 12:30 N

6

Masina Matuatua

16 FRI

S R

6

01:21 13:18 N

6

Masina Loloatai

17 SAT

S R

6

02:00 14:06 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

18 SUN

S R

6

02:39 14:55 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

19

MON 6

S R

03:19 15:45 N

6

Masina Aiaina

20 TUE

S R

6

04:00 16:38 N

6

Masina Punifaga

21

WED 6

S R

04:43 17:32 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

22 THU

S R

6

05:29 18:30 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

23 FRI

S R

6

06:19 19:30 N

6

Masina Feetetele

24 SAT

S R

6

07:14 20:31 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

25 SUN

S R

6

08:13 21:32 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

26

MON 6

S R

09:14 22:31 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

28

WE D 6

3 2 1 0 -1

S

11:16 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

29 THU

6

R S

00:18 12:15 N

6

Masina Motusaga

30 FRI

6

Masina Tatelega

December

-1

R S

01:05 13:11 N

6

1

SAT

6

R S

01:49 14:06 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

2

SUN

6

R S

02:32 14:59 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

3

MON 6

R S

03:15 15:52 N

6

Masina Fataleu

4

TUE

6

R S

03:58 16:45 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

5

WED 6

R S

04:42 17:38 N

6

Masina Maunā

6

THU

6

R S

05:28 18:32 N

6

Masina Sulutele

27 TUE

6

S R

10:16 23:26 N

6

Historically, i‘a sina (goatfish) runs in American Samoa occur between the start of palolo season in October through the appearance of large schools of lō (rabbitfish) in April. Large catches of i‘a sina are shared among residents of the village and used in cultural ceremonies as gifts. NPS PHOTO

Toetaumafa December

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

7

FRI

R S

6

06:15 19:24 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

8

SAT

R S

6

07:04 20:15 N

6

Masina Tolu

9

SUN

R S

6

07:54 21:04 N

6

Masina Faalao

10

MON 6

R S

08:44 21:50 N

6

Tesema 7, 2018–Ianuari 5, 2019 Masina Salefuga

11 TUE

R S

6

09:34 22:34 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

12

WED 6

R S

10:23 23:15 N

6

Masina Motuega

13 THU

R S

6

11:11 23:55 N

6

Masina Aufasa

14 FRI

R

6

11:58 N

6

Masina Matuatua

15 SAT

S R

6

00:35 12:46 N

6

Masina Loloatai

16 SUN

S R

6

01:13 13:34 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

17

MON 6

S R

01:52 14:24 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

18 TUE

S R

6

02:33 15:17 N

6

Masina Aiaina

19

WED 6

S R

03:17 16:12 N

6

Masina Punifaga

20 THU

S R

6

04:05 17:11 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

21 FRI

S R

6

04:58 18:13 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

22 SAT

S R

6

05:56 19:16 N

6

Masina Feetetele

23 SUN

S R

6

06:58 20:18 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

24

MON 6

S R

08:02 21:17 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

25 TUE

S R

6

09:05 22:12 N

6

Masina Sulutele

26

WED 6

S R

10:07 23:02 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

27 THU

6

S R

11:06 23:49 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

28 FRI

6

S

12:02 N

6

Masina Motusaga

29 SAT

6

R S

00:32 12:56 N

6

Masina Tatelega

30 SUN

6

R S

01:15 13:49 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

31

MON 6

3 2 1 0 -1

One way i‘a sina are caught is by herding them with lau (coconut fronds) from the reef to shallower waters where groups of villagers collect them with alagamea (hand nets).

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALISI GAOA.

Masina Tāfaleu

January

-1

R S

01:57 14:41 N

6

1

TUE

6

R S

02:40 15:34 N

6

Masina Fataleu

2

WED 6

R S

03:25 16:26 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

3

THU

6

R S

04:11 17:18 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

4

FRI

6

R S

04:58 18:09 N

6

Masina Maunā

5

SAT

6

R S

05:48 18:59 N

6

Another way i‘a sina are caught is by trapping them in ‘enu (special funnel-shaped traps) handwoven from ‘ie‘ie, which are strands of rope made from afa (coconut husk fibers). More than 100 feet of braided fibers are needed to build the ‘enu. The afa is prepared by soaking coconut husks in a sand pit for two weeks and then pounding them to separate the fibers. NPS PHOTO

Toeutuvā January

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

SUN

R S

6

06:38 19:46 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

7

MO N 6

R S

07:28 20:31 N

6

Januari 6– Fepuari 4, 2019

Masina Tolu

8

TUE

R S

6

08:17 21:13 N

6

Masina Faalao

9

WED 6

R S

09:05 21:53 N

6

Masina Salefuga

10 THU

R S

6

09:53 22:31 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

11 FRI

R S

6

10:40 23:09 N

6

Masina Motuega

12 SAT

R S

6

11:27 23:47 N

6

Masina Aufasa

13 SUN

R

6

12:15 N

6

Masina Matuatua

14

MON 6

S R

00:28 13:05 N

6

Masina Loloatai

15 TUE

S R

6

01:09 13:57 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

16

WED 6

S R

01:53 14:52 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

17 THU

S R

6

02:42 15:51 N

6

Masina Aiaina

18 FRI

S R

6

03:36 16:53 N

6

Masina Punifaga

19 SAT

S R

6

04:35 17:56 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

20 SUN

S R

6

05:39 18:58 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

21

MON 6

S R

06:44 19:57 N

6

Masina Feetetele

22 TUE

S R

6

07:49 20:52 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

23

WED 6

S R

08:52 21:42 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

24 THU

S R

6

09:52 22:29 N

6

Masina Sulutele

25 FRI

S R

6

10:49 23:13 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

26 SAT

6

S R

11:44 23:57 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

27 SUN

6

S

12:37 N

6

Masina Motusaga

28

MON 6

R S

00:39 13:30 N

6

Masina Tatelega

29 TUE

6

R S

01:23 14:22 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

30

WED 6

3 2 1 0 -1

Traditional custom requires completion of the ‘enu before the fish start running or it cannot be used that year. To catch the fish, the trap is buried half way in shallow water along a sandy shoreline. The traps are baited with uga (hermit crabs) that have been pounded and mixed with sand. NPS PHOTO

R S

02:09 15:14 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

31 THU

6

Masina Fataleu

February

-1

R S

02:56 16:06 N

6

1

FRI

6

R S

03:44 16:56 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

2

SAT

6

R S

04:33 17:44 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

3

SUN

6

R S

05:23 18:30 N

6

Masina Maunā

4

MON 6

R S

06:13 19:11 N

6

Asiasi (yellowfin tuna) is a local favorite at the restaurants in American Samoa. It is used as a modern substitute in traditional Samoan dishes such as oka (raw fish in coconut milk), which historically used smaller reef fish. Small recreational and alia fishermen and larger longline vessels provide asiasi to local markets. Local fishermen—from both large and small boat fisheries—commonly provide asiasi for fa‘alavelave (family, church or community events such as weddings or funerals).

Fa‘aafu February

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

5

TUE

R S

6

07:02 19:52 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

WE D 6

R S

07:50 20:30 N

6

Fepuari 5– Mati 6, 2019

Masina Tolu

7

THU

R S

6

08:37 21:08 N

6

Masina Faalao

8

FRI

R S

6

09:24 21:46 N

6

Masina Salefuga

9

SAT

R S

6

10:11 22:24 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

10 SUN

R S

6

10:59 23:04 N

6

Masina Motuega

11

MON 6

R S

11:49 23:46 N

6

Masina Aufasa

12 TUE

R

6

12:41 N

6

Masina Matuatua

13

WED 6

S R

00:32 13:36 N

6

Masina Loloatai

14 THU

S R

6

01:22 14:35 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

15 FRI

S R

6

02:17 15:35 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

16 SAT

S R

6

03:16 16:37 N

6

Masina Aiaina

17 SUN

S R

6

04:20 17:37 N

6

Masina Punifaga

18

MON 6

S R

05:25 18:34 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

19 TUE

S R

6

06:30 19:27 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

20

WED 6

S R

07:32 20:17 N

6

Masina Feetetele

21 THU

S R

6

08:33 21:04 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

22 FRI

S R

6

09:31 21:50 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

23 SAT

S R

6

10:27 22:34 N

6

Masina Sulutele

24 SUN

S R

6

11:22 23:20 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

25

MO N 6

S

12:16 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

26 TUE

6

R S

00:05 13:10 N

6

Masina Motusaga

27

WED 6

R S

00:52 14:02 N

6

Masina Tatelega

28 THU

6

Masina Faasagafulu

March

-1

R S

01:41 14:52 N

6

1

FRI

6

R S

02:30 15:41 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

2

SAT

6

R S

03:19 16:27 N

6

Masina Fataleu

3

SUN

6

R S

04:08 17:11 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

4

MON 6

R S

04:57 17:53 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

5

TUE

6

R S

05:45 18:33 N

6

Masina Maunā

6

WED 6

R S

06:34 19:08 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Asiasi (yellowfin tuna)

Fe‘e (Octopus cyanea) has significant cultural value and is considered sacred and taboo. The month of May was sacred because of the fe‘e, and certain coastal villages decreed a sā (forbidden activity) on fishing during that time. Taife‘e (octopus season) in American Samoa takes place mainly in March and April.

Fe‘e are caught by many methods. One method involves woven traps called ‘enu fe‘e, which are designed to mimic the crevices normally occupied by the octopus. Collecting octopus by hand or with spear is a practice known as ta‘igafe‘e. Figota (reef gleaning) is a fe‘e harvesting form done exclusively by females. The village women use a short and long stick with an ola (woven basket) to collect fe‘e and other reef organisms for food.

A traditional method of catching fe‘e uses mataife‘e (cowrie shell lures) that resemble the isumu (rat). The lures are lowered by line into holes and crevices on the reef and shaken to attract the octopus. NPS PHOTO

Fai‘i fe‘e—octopus and coconut cream cooked in a coconut shell in the umu (traditional hot rock oven)—is a favorite local delicacy. NPS PHOTO

NPS PHOTO

Fānoga March

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

7

THU

R S

6

07:21 19:46 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

8

FRI

R S

6

08:08 20:24 N

6

Mati 7 – Aperila 5, 2019

Masina Tolu

9

SAT

R S

6

08:56 21:03 N

6

Masina Faalao

10 SUN

R S

6

09:45 21:44 N

6

Masina Salefuga

11

MON 6

R S

10:36 22:28 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

12 TUE

R S

6

11:30 23:16 N

6

Masina Motuega

13

R

WED 6

12:25 N

6

Masina Aufasa

14 THU

S R

6

00:08 13:23 N

6

Masina Matuatua

15 FRI

S R

6

01:03 14:22 N

6

Masina Loloatai

16 SAT

S R

6

02:02 15:20 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

17 SUN

S R

6

03:05 16:17 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

18

MO N 6

S R

04:08 17:11 N

6

Masina Aiaina

19 TUE

S R

6

05:11 18:02 N

6

Masina Punifaga

20

WE D 6

S R

06:12 18:50 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

21 THU

S R

6

07:12 19:37 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

22 FRI

S R

6

08:10 20:24 N

6

Masina Feetetele

23 SAT

S R

6

09:08 21:10 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

24 SUN

S R

6

10:04 21:57 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

25

MON 6

S R

11:00 22:45 N

6

Masina Sulutele

26 TUE

S R

6

11:54 23:34 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

27

WE D 6

S

12:46 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

28 THU

6

R S

00:24 13:37 N

6

Masina Motusaga

29 FRI

6

R S

01:14 14:24 N

6

Masina Tatelega

30 SAT

6

R S

02:04 15:09 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

31 SUN

6

Masina Tāfaleu

April

-1

R S

02:53 15:51 N

6

1

MON 6

R S

03:41 16:32 N

6

Masina Fataleu

2

TUE

6

R S

04:29 17:10 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

3

WED 6

R S

05:16 17:48 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

4

THU

R S

6

3 2 1 0 -1

The reason the mataife‘e resembles the isumu (rat) is explained in one of the legends of Samoa. While taking a canoe trip, an owl, a snail and a rat started to sink. The owl escaped by flying, the snail sank with the canoe to the bottom of the ocean, and the rat tried to swim to shore but had a long way to go. He saw an octopus and called for help. The octopus agreed and swam to shore with the rat on his head. When they

got to shore, the rat jumped off and thanked the octopus for saving his life and said that he left a little present on the octopus’s head. When the octopus realized that there was a rat dropping on his head, he became extremely angry and told the rat, “If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you.”

To this day, the octopus is mad about this and is still looking for the rat.

06:04 18:26 N

6

Masina Maunā

5

FRI

6

R S

06:53 19:02 N

6

Rabbitfish are called by different names, such as loloa, ‘ofe‘ofe and malava. The name used when referring to large schools of juvenile rabbitfish is lō.

While the rabbitfish are caught year-round, they are most prevalent in the late spring. In certain villages, the month of April is given the Samoan name Lō as this is when rabbitfish are plentiful around American Samoa. NPS PHOTO

Aununu April

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

6

SAT

R S

6

07:42 19:43 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

7

SUN

R S

6

08:33 20:27 N

6

Aperila 6 – Me 4, 2019

Masina Tolu

8

MON 6

R S

09:26 21:14 N

6

Masina Faalao

9

TUE

R S

6

10:21 22:04 N

6

Masina Salefuga

10

WED 6

R S

11:18 22:59 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

11 THU

R S

6

12:16 23:56 N

6

Masina Motuega

12 FRI

R

6

13:13 N

6

Masina Aufasa

13 SAT

S R

6

00:54 14:08 N

6

Masina Matuatua

14 SUN

S R

6

01:55 15:01 N

6

Masina Loloatai

15

MON 6

S R

02:56 15:51 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

16 TUE

S R

6

03:56 16:39 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

17

WED 6

S R

04:55 17:26 N

6

Masina Aiaina

18 THU

S R

6

05:53 18:12 N

6

Masina Punifaga

19 FRI

S R

6

06:50 18:58 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

20 SAT

S R

6

07:48 19:45 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

21 SUN

S R

6

08:45 20:34 N

6

Masina Feetetele

22

MON 6

S R

09:41 21:24 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

23 TUE

S R

6

10:36 22:15 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

24

WED 6

S R

11:29 23:06 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

26 FRI

6

S

13:05 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

27 SAT

6

R S

00:46 13:48 N

6

Masina Motusaga

28 SUN

6

R S

01:35 14:29 N

6

Masina Tatelega

29

MON 6

R S

02:23 15:08 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

30 TUE

6

Masina Tāfaleu

May

-1

R S

03:10 15:46 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Fishing for lō is a team effort by members of the village. Coconut fronds are braided into long sections to herd the schools of lō into the shallow areas where they are scooped up using alagamea (hand nets). A successful catch is shared with everyone in the village and neighboring villages. Like atule and ‘anae, lō is also an important bait fish to catch larger fish utilizing ‘upega (handwoven nets).

1

WED 6

R S

03:57 16:24 N

6

Masina Fataleu

2

THU

6

R S

04:45 17:02 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

3

FRI

6

R S

05:35 17:42 N

6

Masina Maunā

4

SAT

6

R S

06:26 18:24 N

6

Masina Sulutele

25 THU

6

S R

12:18 23:57 N

6

A catch of atule and jacks.

Schools of atule (bigeye scad) were very common in the past, especially in the months of April, May and October. Small members of the species (less than 4 inches) are called nato. The larger, grown fish are known as taupapa. The fishing method of lau atule was traditionally practiced by large groups of villagers who used braided coconut fronds to chase the schools of atule into shallow waters where they were scooped up in hand nets.

In recent years, lau atule has been replaced by using a canoe and long netting to chase the fish into shallower water; this method takes less people to accomplish. Individual fishermen still catch atule in kili (throw nets). NPS PHOTOS

Oloāmanu May

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

5

SUN

R S

6

07:20 19:10 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

6

MO N 6

R S

08:15 20:00 N

6

Masina Tolu

7

TUE

R S

6

09:13 20:54 N

6

Me 5– Iuni 3, 2019

Masina Faalao

8

WED 6

R S

10:11 21:52 N

6

Masina Salefuga

9

THU

R S

6

11:09 22:51 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

10 FRI

R S

6

12:05 23:50 N

6

Masina Motuega

11 SAT

R

6

12:58 N

6

Masina Aufasa

12 SUN

S R

6

00:49 13:48 N

6

Masina Matuatua

13

MON 6

S R

01:47 14:35 N

6

Masina Loloatai

14 TUE

S R

6

02:45 15:20 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

15

WED 6

S R

03:41 16:05 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

16 THU

S R

6

04:37 16:50 N

6

Masina Aiaina

17 FRI

S R

6

05:34 17:35 N

6

Masina Punifaga

18 SAT

S R

6

06:30 18:23 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

19 SUN

S R

6

07:27 19:12 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

20

MON 6

S R

08:23 20:03 N

6

Masina Feetetele

21 TUE

S R

6

09:18 20:55 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

22

WED 6

S R

10:10 21:47 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

23 THU

S R

6

10:58 22:38 N

6

Masina Sulutele

24 FRI

S R

6

11:44 23:28 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

25 SAT

6

S

12:26 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

26 SUN

6

R S

00:15 13:06 N

6

Masina Motusaga

27

MON 6

R S

01:03 13:44 N

6

Masina Tatelega

28 TUE

6

R S

01:50 14:21 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

29

WED 6

R S

02:37 14:58 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

30 THU

6

R S

03:26 15:37 N

6

Masina Fataleu

31 FRI

6

Masina Mitiloa

June

-1

R S

04:16 16:18 N

6

1

SAT

6

R S

05:09 17:02 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

2

SUN

6

R S

06:05 17:51 N

6

Masina Maunā

3

MON 6

R S

07:02 18:46 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

The village of Fagasa on the north shore of Tutuila is famous for its atule fishing and its expertise in the lau atule. According to legend, the Polynesian navigator Liava‘a sailed to Tutuila in search of the pure waters of Fagasa Village. His boat accidently departed while his daughter Sina was still ashore collecting fresh water. When Liava‘a realized this, he became enraged and threw his entire crew into the sea with orders for them to return to Fagasa, find Sina and protect her forever. To expedite their return to Fagasa, the men

were transformed into dolphins. They herded a school of atule to shore to ensure that all who cared for Sina were well fed. Special stones protected by High Chief Lili‘o, who is responsible for all events related to the atule harvest, memorialize the story of Liava‘a and Sina to this day. When atule arrive in Fagasa, an ava ceremony is held in appreciation for this bounty. The stones are cleaned, and, when the time is right, the villagers carry coconut fronds into the water to herd the fish into the shallows where they are collected in ‘enu baskets, which are emptied into the ola (woven basket).

Traditionally, Samoans caught masimasi (dolphin fish) on a special type of hook called pa tagi, which was used to catch various other large, open ocean species as well. Masimasi are abundant in the waters around American Samoa between the months of June and October. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAC AVEINA.

Lotuaga June

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

4

TUE

R S

6

08:02 19:44 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

5

WE D 6

R S

09:02 20:44 N

6

Iuni 4–Iulai 2, 2019

Masina Tolu

6

THU

R S

6

10:00 21:45 N

6

Masina Faalao

7

FRI

R S

6

10:55 22:45 N

6

Masina Salefuga

8

SAT

R S

6

11:46 23:43 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

9

SUN

R

6

12:34 N

6

Masina Motuega

10

MON 6

S R

00:40 13:19 N

6

Masina Aufasa

11 TUE

S R

6

01:36 14:03 N

6

Masina Matuatua

12

WED 6

S R

02:31 14:47 N

6

Masina Loloatai

13 THU

S R

6

03:26 15:31 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

14 FRI

S R

6

04:21 16:16 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

15 SAT

S R

6

05:17 17:04 N

6

Masina Aiaina

16 SUN

S R

6

06:12 17:54 N

6

Masina Punifaga

17

MON 6

S R

07:07 18:45 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

18 TUE

S R

6

08:00 19:38 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

19

WED 6

S R

08:51 20:30 N

6

Masina Feetetele

20 THU

S R

6

09:38 21:20 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

21 FRI

S R

6

10:22 22:10 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

22 SAT

S R

6

11:02 22:58 N

6

3 2 1 0

Masina Nauna

24

MON 6

S

12:18 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

25 TUE

6

R S

00:29 12:55 N

6

Masina Motusaga

26

WE D 6

R S

01:17 13:33 N

6

Masina Tatelega

27 THU

6

R S

02:05 14:12 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

28 FRI

6

R S

02:56 14:54 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

29 SAT

6

R S

03:51 15:40 N

6

Masina Fataleu

30 SUN

6

Masina Mitiloa

July

-1

R S

04:48 16:31 N

6

1

MON 6

R S

05:48 17:26 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

The Samoan proverb “E a sipa le lama, ‘ae fano malolo” (The torch is tilted over while the flying fish die) refers to fishing for masimasi by baiting the hook with flying fish, which are caught with small fish-hooks.

While the fisher is waiting for a bite, his boat must move slowly. The sail is, therefore, somewhat lowered until it hangs in an inclined position (sipa). This proverb refers to a person who has come to harm through another’s fault. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATE SAGAPOLUTELE

Masina Maunā

2

TUE

6

R S

06:48 18:31 N

6

Masina Sulutele

23 SUN

6

S R

11:41 23:45 N

6

Parrotfish play a role in protecting the coral reefs of American Samoa by eating algae that compete with corals.

Samoan names for parrotfish are associated with their size. Generally, they are called fuga when less than 10 inches, laea when 10 to 15 inches, ulumato when 15 to 20 inches and galo when over 20 inches. Fuga and laea are important food fish for American Samoa communities and a favorite at local markets. American Samoa spear fishermen seek these coral grazers as they cannot be caught by hook. NPS PHOTOS

Tu‘iefu July

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

3

WED 6

R S

07:48 19:33 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

4

THU

R S

6

08:46 20:35 N

6

Iulai 3– 31, 2019

Masina Tolu

5

FRI

R S

6

09:41 21:36 N

6

Masina Faalao

6

SAT

R S

6

10:31 22:35 N

6

Masina Salefuga

7

SUN

R S

6

11:18 23:32 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

8

R

MON 6

12:03 N

6

Masina Motuega

9

TUE

S R

6

00:27 12:46 N

6

Masina Aufasa

10

WED 6

S R

01:22 13:30 N

6

Masina Matuatua

11 THU

S R

6

02:17 14:14 N

6

Masina Loloatai

12 FRI

S R

6

03:11 15:01 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

13 SAT

S R

6

04:06 15:49 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

14 SUN

S R

6

05:00 16:39 N

6

Masina Aiaina

15

MON 6

S R

05:53 17:31 N

6

Masina Punifaga

16 TUE

S R

6

06:45 18:22 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

17

WED 6

S R

07:33 19:14 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

18 THU

S R

6

08:18 20:04 N

6

Masina Feetetele

19 FRI

S R

6

09:00 20:52 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

20 SAT

S R

6

09:39 21:39 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

21 SUN

S R

6

10:17 22:26 N

6

Masina Sulutele

22

MON 6

S R

10:53 23:12 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

23 TUE

6

S R

11:30 23:59 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

24

WED 6

S

12:07 N

6

Masina Motusaga

25 THU

6

R S

00:46 12:47 N

6

Masina Tatelega

26 FRI

6

R S

01:38 13:30 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

27 SAT

6

R S

02:32 14:18 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

28 SUN

6

R S

03:30 15:10 N

6

Masina Fataleu

29

MON 6

R S

04:31 16:08 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

30 TUE

6

R S

05:32 17:10 N

6

Masina Maunā

31

WED 6

R S

06:32 18:15 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Parrotfish are caught by methods practiced traditionally by women of the villages. In the tutui or tuinga method, women working in pairs use sticks to drive fuga and laea from rocks and coral into shallower water to be collected in baskets. Two other methods practiced by women of American Samoa are sasa‘e, using bare hands to collect fish into baskets, and safunua, where a group of women form a semi-circle and move in formation to chase reef fish close to the shore where they are scooped up in alagamea (hand nets).

A favorite parrotfish dish of American Samoa is prepared by cooking laea wrapped in banana leaf in the umu (traditional hot rock oven).

Hatcheries were initiated to provide faisua for local markets and help protect the species.

American Samoa has two native species of faisua (giant clam): Tridacna maxima and T. squamosa. In recent years the local government has introduced T. gigas and T. derasa and re-introduced Hippopus hippopus to reefs around the territory. Faisua is a popular food in American Samoa, and efforts have been made to raise them through mariculture. NPS CLAM PHOTO

Mulifā August

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

1

THU

R S

6

07:28 19:22 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

2

FRI

R S

6

08:22 20:23 N

6

Aukuso 1– Aukuso 29, 2019

Masina Tolu

3

SAT

R S

6

09:12 21:23 N

6

Masina Faalao

4

SUN

R S

6

09:59 22:20 N

6

Masina Salefuga

5

MON 6

R S

10:44 23:16 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

6

TUE

R

6

11:28 N

6

Masina Motuega

7

WED 6

S R

00:12 12:13 N

6

Masina Aufasa

8

THU

S R

6

01:07 12:59 N

6

Masina Matuatua

9

FRI

S R

6

02:02 13:46 N

6

Masina Loloatai

10 SAT

S R

6

02:56 14:36 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

11 SUN

S R

6

03:49 15:26 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

12

MO N 6

S R

04:41 16:18 N

6

Masina Aiaina

13 TUE

S R

6

05:29 17:09 N

6

Masina Punifaga

14

WE D 6

S R

06:15 17:59 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

15 THU

S R

6

06:58 18:48 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

16 FRI

S R

6

07:38 19:36 N

6

Masina Feetetele

17 SAT

S R

6

08:16 20:22 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

18 SUN

S R

6

08:53 21:08 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

19

MON 6

S R

09:29 21:55 N

6

Masina Sulutele

20 TUE

6

S R

10:06 22:42 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

21

WED 6

S R

10:44 23:31 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

22 THU

6

S

11:25 N

6

Masina Motusaga

23 FRI

6

R S

00:22 12:09 N

6

Masina Tatelega

24 SAT

6

R S

01:17 12:58 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

25 SUN

6

R S

02:14 13:52 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

26

MON 6

R S

03:14 14:50 N

6

Masina Fataleu

27 TUE

6

R S

04:14 15:53 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

28

WED 6

R S

05:12 16:57 N

6

Masina Maunā

29 THU

6

R S

06:07 18:01 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

According to Samoan legend, the faisua is responsible for the Samoan art of tatau (tattoo).

Two sisters traveled from Fiji with a basket of tatau equipment and the knowledge of tattooing. They chanted a song with the lyrics that only women shall receive tattoos and not men. However, they were mesmerized by a giant faisua and dove into the ocean to catch it.

They were hypnotized or confused by the ordeal, and after that the song changed to men shall receive tatau and not women. NPS PHOTO

Larger faisua found in deeper water beyond the reef’s edge were traditionally harvested by men of the village who would dive on the reef at the break of dawn. A stick was wedged into the mouth of the faisua, and then the clam was dislodged from the reef rocks. The faisua was also one of the reef species harvested by women engaged in figota (reef gleaning).

Atu (skipjack tuna) and apakoa (albacore tuna) are the two most important fish to the economy of American Samoa. They account for the bulk of the fish delivered to the local StarKist cannery, the territory’s largest private sector employer. Apakoa was not traditionally targeted by Samoan fishermen as it is generally caught in depths of 100 to 400 feet. Yet it is vitally important in modern Samoan society and makes up approximately 70 percent of the tuna landed by the local longline fishery. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATE ILAOA (INSET) AND MAC AVEINA

Pālolomua 30 FRI

R S

6

06:58 19:06 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

31 SAT

Masina Tolu

September

August

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

R S

6

07:48 20:06 N

6

1

SUN

R S

6

08:35 21:05 N

6

Aukuso 30–Setema 28, 2019

Masina Faalao

2

MON 6

R S

09:22 22:03 N

6

Masina Salefuga

3

TUE

R S

6

10:08 23:00 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

4

WED 6

R S

10:55 23:56 N

6

Masina Motuega

5

THU

R

6

11:43 N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

FRI

S R

6

00:51 12:32 N

6

Masina Matuatua

7

SAT

S R

6

01:46 13:23 N

6

Masina Loloatai

8

SUN

S R

6

02:38 14:14 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

9

MON 6

S R

03:27 15:05 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

10 TUE

S R

6

04:14 15:56 N

6

Masina Aiaina

11

WED 6

S R

04:57 16:45 N

6

Masina Punifaga

12 THU

S R

6

05:38 17:33 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

13 FRI

S R

6

06:16 18:20 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

14 SAT

S R

6

06:53 19:06 N

6

Masina Feetetele

15 SUN

S R

6

07:30 19:52 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

16

MON 6

S R

08:06 20:39 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

17 TUE

S R

6

08:44 21:27 N

6

Masina Sulutele

18

WED 6

S R

09:23 22:17 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

19 THU

6

S R

10:05 23:09 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

20 FRI

6

S

10:52 N

6

Masina Motusaga

21 SAT

6

R S

00:04 11:42 N

6

Masina Tatelega

22 SUN

6

R S

01:02 12:37 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

23

MON 6

R S

02:00 13:36 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

24 TUE

6

R S

Masina Fataleu

02:57 14:38 N

6

25

WED 6

R S

03:52 15:40 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

26 THU

6

R S

04:44 16:43 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

27 FRI

6

R S

05:35 17:45 N

6

Masina Maunā

28 SAT

6

R S

06:22 18:46 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Traditionally, tautai were the stewards of the oceans around American Samoa and charged by the high chiefs with fishing for pelagic fish, such as atu. Successful catches were shared among the villagers as directed by the village chiefs or councils. Status of titles among families dictated who received the prime portions. The head was reserved for high and talking chiefs. Failure to properly adhere to the protocol of catch distribution to chiefs could result in severe punishment, including exile and confiscation of crops and possessions.

Pa‘atu is a special type of fish hook for atu made from shell (usually turtle). The lure was a unique two-piece composite that included a shell such as cowrie connected to the turtle shell hook. A special, all wood hook for skipjack fishing was made the inhabitants of Ta‘u Island. American Samoa villagers built special boat to fish for atu. Ofu, Manu‘a, was one village where construction of such vessels took place.

Palolo (Palola viridis) spawn during three days of the third quarter moon (i.e., one week after the full moon) in the months of October and November each year. They appear at different times on different islands. Some villagers believe that successful palolo spawns are connected to plants. They believe a good palolo catch depends on how many moso‘oi (flowers of the cananga tree) bloom in the months of October and November. Others say the closing of the pālulu (morning glory) can influence the success of a palolo spawn. MAIN PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX WEBB, INSET PHOTO BY NPS

Pālolomuli 29 SUN

R S

6

07:10 19:46 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

30

MON 6

Masina Tolu

October

September

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

R S

07:57 20:45 N

6

1

TUE

R S

6

08:45 21:44 N

6

Setema 29– Oketopa 27, 2019

Masina Faalao

2

WED 6

R S

09:34 22:42 N

6

Masina Salefuga

3

THU

R S

6

10:25 23:39 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

4

FRI

R

6

11:16 N

6

Masina Motuega

5

SAT

S R

6

00:32 12:09 N

6

Masina Aufasa

6

SUN

S R

6

01:23 13:00 N

6

Masina Matuatua

7

MON 6

S R

02:11 13:51 N

6

Masina Loloatai

8

TUE

S R

6

02:56 14:41 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

9

WED 6

S R

03:37 15:29 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

10 THU

S R

6

04:16 16:17 N

6

Masina Aiaina

11 FRI

S R

6

04:54 17:03 N

6

Masina Punifaga

12 SAT

S R

6

05:30 17:49 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

13 SUN

S R

6

06:07 18:36 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

14

MON 6

S R

06:44 19:24 N

6

Masina Feetetele

15 TUE

S R

6

07:23 20:14 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

16

WED 6

S R

08:04 21:06 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

17 THU

S R

6

08:49 22:00 N

6

Masina Sulutele

18 FRI

6

S R

09:38 22:55 N

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

19 SAT

6

S R

10:31 23:51 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

20 SUN

6

S

11:27 N

6

Masina Motusaga

21

MON 6

R S

00:49 12:26 N

6

Masina Tatelega

22 TUE

6

R S

01:43 13:26 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

23

WED 6

R S

02:34 14:27 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

24 THU

6

R S

03:23 15:27 N

6

Masina Fataleu

25 FRI

6

R S

04:11 16:26 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

26 SAT

6

R S

04:58 17:26 N

6

Masina Maunā

27 SUN

6

R S

05:44 18:25 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Traditionally, villagers prepared for the palolo harvest by utilizing moso‘oi. It was believed that good luck was brought to fishermen who adorned leis of moso‘oi and wore nice clothing and to those who prepared for palolo fishing by bathing with moso‘oi and other fragrant blossoms. Special festivities were organized for the night before the palolo catch. The chief of the village that had jurisdiction over the reef channel would send fishermen out to search for the first signs of palolo. When they

reported success, preparations were begun at the chief’s house—feasts and ‘ava were prepared by the taupou (village virgin). Everyone came to the chief’s house for feasting and amusements until the time arrived for all to go catch the palolo. Abundant harvests were shared with the entire village, a practice known as valelei, which is a way to keep good relations among the residents of a village.

6

The shark is traditionally used in ceremonial events and divided in a specific way—usually with the shark’s head given to the aumaga (untitled males of the village). NPS PHOTO

Taumafamua 28

MON 6

R S

06:31 19:26 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

29 TUE

R S

6

07:21 20:26 N

6

Masina Tolu

30

WED 6

R S

08:12 21:25 N

6

Masina Faalao

31 THU

Masina Salefuga

November

October

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

Oketopa 28– Novema 26, 2019

R S

6

09:05 22:22 N

6

1

FRI

R S

6

09:58 23:16 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

2

SAT

R

6

10:52 N

6

Masina Motuega

3

SUN

S R

6

00:06 11:44 N

6

Masina Aufasa

4

MON 6

S R

00:52 12:35 N

6

Masina Matuatua

5

TUE

S R

6

01:35 13:24 N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

WED 6

S R

02:15 14:12 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

7

THU

S R

6

02:53 14:59 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

8

FRI

S R

6

03:29 15:45 N

6

Masina Aiaina

9

SAT

S R

6

04:06 16:31 N

6

Masina Punifaga

10 SUN

S R

6

04:43 17:19 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

11

MON 6

S R

05:21 18:09 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

12 TUE

S R

6

06:02 19:01 N

6

Masina Feetetele

13

WED 6

S R

06:46 19:55 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

14 THU

S R

6

07:35 20:51 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

15 FRI

S R

6

08:27 21:47 N

6

Masina Sulutele

16 SAT

S R

6

09:23 22:44 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

17 SUN

6

S R

10:21 23:38 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

18

MON 6

S

11:20 N

6

Masina Motusaga

19 TUE

6

R S

00:30 12:19 N

6

Masina Tatelega

20

WED 6

R S

01:19 13:17 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

21 THU

6

R S

02:05 14:15 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

22 FRI

6

R S

02:50 15:12 N

6

Masina Fataleu

23 SAT

6

R S

03:35 16:09 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

24 SUN

6

R S

04:21 17:08 N

6

Masina Fanoloa

25

MON 6

R S

05:08 18:07 N

6

Masina Maunā

26 TUE

6

R S

05:58 19:08 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

In American Samoa, lepaga (shark fishing) was done by various methods.

One traditional harvest method called sele involved the use of odorous bait (such as fish chum and pig innards) and a long noose to snare the shark once it surfaced alongside a fishing vessel. A traditional bait float NPS PHOTO

was used for this method of shark fishing. These wooden floats were lightweight and used with nets and lures.

A second method of shark fishing used a 50- by 20-foot net called ‘upega malie. Special floats from ‘ulu (breadfruit) trees and ma‘a (stones) served as sinkers. The nets were baited with fish to attract sharks.

‘Anae (family Mugilidae) are commonly fished in the coastal waters around the islands of American Samoa. ‘Anae is also important as a bait to catch larger pelagic fish such as atu. In American Samoa the season for ‘anae gutu mūmū (red-lipped mullet) runs from October through December. The afomatua (grey mullet) are considered a sacred fish. They are commonly presented as ceremonial exchanges with such items as siapo (tapa cloth) and fala (fine mats) as reciprocal gifts. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (LAND GRANT PROGRAM)

Toetaumafa 27

WE D 6

R S

06:50 20:07 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

28 THU

R S

6

07:44 21:04 N

6

Masina Tolu

29 FRI

R S

6

08:39 21:56 N

6

Masina Faalao

30 SAT

Masina Salefuga

December

November

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

Novema 27– Tesema 25, 2019

R S

6

09:33 22:45 N

6

1

SUN

R S

6

10:26 23:29 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

2

R

MON 6

11:16 N

6

Masina Motuega

3

TUE

S R

6

00:10 12:05 N

6

Masina Aufasa

4

WED 6

S R

00:51 12:52 N

6

Masina Matuatua

5

THU

S R

6

01:27 13:38 N

6

Masina Loloatai

6

FRI

S R

6

02:04 14:24 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

7

SAT

S R

6

02:40 15:11 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

8

SUN

S R

6

03:17 16:00 N

6

Masina Aiaina

9

MON 6

S R

03:57 16:51 N

6

Masina Punifaga

10 TUE

S R

6

04:40 17:45 N

6

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

11

WED 6

S R

05:27 18:41 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

12 THU

S R

6

06:19 19:39 N

6

Masina Feetetele

13 FRI

S R

6

07:15 20:37 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

14 SAT

S R

6

08:14 21:34 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

15 SUN

S R

6

09:14 22:27 N

6

Masina Sulutele

16

MON 6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

17 TUE

6

S

11:13 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

18

WED 6

R S

00:04 12:10 N

6

Masina Motusaga

19 THU

6

R S

00:49 13:06 N

6

Masina Tatelega

20 FRI

6

R S

01:32 14:02 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

21 SAT

6

R S

02:16 14:58 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

22 SUN

6

R S

03:02 15:55 N

6

Masina Fataleu

23

MON 6

R S

03:49 16:53 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

24 TUE

6

R S

04:39 17:51 N

6

Masina Maunā

25

WED 6

R S

05:32 18:48 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

The western village of Amanave is famous for its traditional harvest of the ‘anae gutu mūmū.

The harvest method involves a collaborative effort by the people of the village called seu ‘anae.

A group of men use tolo matu (large braided nets) to round up schools of ‘anae gutu mūmū and direct them into the channel, where a larger group of villagers awaits to scoop up the fish with alagamea (hand nets). About 60 families undertake this large group effort at one time.

The afomatua was historically a favorite of Samoan chiefs because of their tendency to jump out of the water when chased. Because they were often caught in mid-air with alagamea (hand nets), the chiefs likened this to seuga lupe (pigeon hunting), a pastime reserved exclusively for chiefly individuals.

S R

10:14 23:17 N

6

A sea turtle feeding in the shallows around Tutuila Island.

As juveniles, laumei feed on crustaceans, grasses and algae, before adopting a herbivorous diet as adults.

Sea turtles are commonly referred to as laumei in Samoan but have also been called i‘a sÄ (sacred fish). A Samoan myth claims that sea turtles have the power to guide lost fishermen back to land and safety. The turtle shell was an important material in the making of fish hooks used to catch large pelagic fish like atu (skipjack tuna) and masimasi (dolphinfish). NPS PHOTOS

Utuvāmua 26 THU

R S

6

06:25 19:45 N

6

Masina Tofilofilo

27 FRI

R S

6

07:20 20:36 N

6

Masina Tolu

28 SAT

R S

6

08:14 21:22 N

6

Masina Faalao

29 SUN

R S

6

09:07 22:05 N

6

Masina Salefuga

30

MON 6

R S

09:57 22:45 N

6

Masina Tulalupe

31 TUE

Masina Motuega

January

December

Masina Fou/ Faatoavaaia

Tesema 26, 2019–Ianuari 23, 2020 R S

6

10:45 23:22 N

6

1

WED 6

R S

11:31 23:58 N

6

Masina Aufasa

2

THU

R

6

12:17 N

6

Masina Matuatua

3

FRI

S R

6

00:36 13:03 N

6

Masina Loloatai

4

SAT

S R

6

01:13 13:50 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Malupeaua

5

SUN

S R

6

01:51 14:39 N

6

Masina Mātofitofi

6

MON 6

S R

02:32 15:31 N

6

Masina Aiaina

7

TUE

S R

6

03:17 16:26 N

6

Masina Punifaga

Masina Atoa/ Atoa Li‘o le Masina

8

9

WED 6

S R

04:06 17:24 N

6

THU

S R

6

05:01 18:23 N

6

Masina Le‘ale‘a

10 FRI

S R

6

06:00 19:22 N

6

Masina Feetetele

11 SAT

S R

6

07:01 20:19 N

6

Masina Ataatatai

12 SUN

S R

6

08:04 21:12 N

6

Masina Fagaeleele

13

MON 6

S R

09:05 22:01 N

6

Masina Sulutele

14 TUE

6

S R

10:04 22:47 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

Masina Nauna

15

WED 6

S R

11:02 23:32 N

6

Masina UsunoaMay

16 THU

6

S

11:58 N

6

Masina Motusaga

17 FRI

6

R S

00:16 12:54 N

6

Masina Tatelega

18 SAT

6

R S

01:00 13:49 N

6

Masina Faasagafulu

19 SUN

6

R S

01:46 14:46 N

6

Masina Tāfaleu

20

MON 6

R S

02:34 15:43 N

6

Masina Fataleu

21 TUE

6

R S

03:25 16:39 N

6

Masina Mitiloa

22

WED 6

R S

04:17 17:35 N

6

Masina Maunā

23 THU

6

R S

05:11 18:27 N

6

3 2 1 0 -1

One of American Samoa's most famous legends tells of a mother and daughter who, during a time of great famine, leaped from the cliff side and were transformed into a turtle and shark. They swam to the village of Vaitogi where they were treated to food and clothing by High Chief Letuli.

To repay his kindness, they protect the waters of Vaitogi to this day.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOTE AIUMU

While the sea turtle is now protected under the Endangered Species Act and interaction with the animals is restricted, the people of Samoa have historically implemented their own form of conservation for i‘a sā. Historically, the turtle was the exclusive property of the Tui Manu‘a (the highest chief of the Manu‘a Islands) and off limits to everyone else. NPS PHOTO

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 Taotasi Archie Soliai Phone: (684) 258-2770 Email: asoliai@hotmail.com Council Member Christinna Lutu-Sanchez Phone: (684) 633-7675 Email: chrissy.lutu@gmail.com Council Member Va‘amua Henry Sesepasara American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Phone: (684) 633-4456 Email: hsesepasara@gmail.com Council On-Site Coordinator Nathan 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@noaa.gov Web : www.wpcouncil.org ISBN 978-1-944827-29-8 PHOTO COURTESY OF NATHAN ILAOA.