The Samoan Archipelago

Abstract The Samoan archipelago is a volcanic hotspot chain, divided into two political entities, the Independent State of Samoa to the west and the US Territory of American Samoa to the east. In addition to the volcanic islands, American Samoa includes two small atolls. Marine life in American Samoa has been studied more than that of Independent Samoa, and is relatively healthy for reefs at this time, with moderately good coral cover, increasing coral cover on Tutuila since 2005, and a variety of other positive indicators. The greatest human impacts on American Samoa’s reefs have been from fishing pressure, an outbreak of a coral-eating starfish in 1978 on some islands, and construction on top of reefs or dredging material from them. Coral bleaching caused by the rising water temperatures of global warming is occurring and is the greatest threat to the future of the reefs. American Samoa is among the locations with the most protection for its coral reefs, but enforcement is uneven. Their relatively healthy present condition may be due to both protection and accidents of nature and society such as its isolated location, uncut forest, and easing fishing pressure.