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.