Mia T. Comeros-Raynal

The likelihood of extinction of iconic and dominant herbivores and detritivores of coral reefs: the parrotfishes and surgeonfishes

Parrotfishes and surgeonfishes perform important functional roles in the dynamics of coral reef systems. This is a consequence of their varied feeding behaviors ranging from targeted consumption of living plant material (primarily surgeonfishes) to feeding on detrital aggregates that are either scraped from the reef surface or excavated from the deeper reef substratum (primarily parrotfishes). Increased fishing pressure and widespread habitat destruction have led to population declines for several species of these two groups. Species-specific data on global distribution, population status, life history characteristics, and major threats were compiled for each of the 179 known species of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes to determine the likelihood of extinction of each species under the Categories and Criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Due in part to the extensive distributions of most species and the life history traits exhibited in these two families, only three (1.7%) of the species are listed at an elevated risk of global extinction. The majority of the parrotfishes and surgeonfishes (86%) are listed as Least Concern, 10% are listed as Data Deficient and 1% are listed as Near Threatened. The risk of localized extinction, however, is higher in some areas, particularly in the Coral Triangle region. The relatively low proportion of species globally listed in threatened Categories is highly encouraging, and some conservation successes are attributed to concentrated conservation efforts. However, with the growing realization of mans profound impact on the planet, conservation actions such as improved marine reserve networks, more stringent fishing regulations, and continued monitoring of the population status at the species and community levels are imperative for the prevention of species loss in these groups of important and iconic coral reef fishes.

Land-based sources of marine pollution: Pesticides, PAHs and phthalates in coastal stream water, and heavy metals in coastal stream sediments in American Samoa

The island nations and territories of the South Pacific are facing a number of pressing environmental concerns, including solid waste management and coastal pollution. Here we provide baseline information on the presence and concentration of heavy metals and selected organic contaminants (pesticides, PAHs, phthalates) in 7 coastal streams and in surface waters adjacent to the Futiga landfill in American Samoa. All sampled stream sediments contained high concentrations of lead, and some of mercury. Several coastal stream waters showed relatively high concentrations of diethyl phthalate and of organophosphate pesticides, above chronic toxicity values for fish and other aquatic organisms. Parathion, which has been banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency since 2006, was detected in several stream sites. Increased monitoring and initiatives to limit non-point source land-based pollution will greatly improve the state of freshwater and coastal resources, as well as reduce risks to human health in American Samoa.

American Samoa's Marine Protected Area System: Institutions, Governance, and Scale

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a primary marine conservation strategy in the US territory of American Samoa, which has a goal to protect 20 percent of its coral reef area under “no-take” MPAs. The territory implements MPAs by using diverse governance approaches involving a range of institutions operating at different scales and including federal, territorial, and local village entities. This innovative approach to management takes advantage of the territory’s traditional marine tenure system while drawing on resources available from the US federal government. Since 2000, total MPA coverage in American Samoa has expanded to encompass approximately 25 percent of coral reef area in the territory, with nearly 7 percent of reefs in notake reserves. This represents a level of resource protection and inter-institutional collaboration that is unusual in the Pacific and, indeed, worldwide.1 However, the territory still falls far short of its stated goal. This article is the first comprehensive description and governance analysis of the American Samoa MPA system, exploring the unique institutional arrangements that have been established, with traditional Samoan governance systems operating semi-independently under a US-based legal system and in coordination with the US government. We begin with an overview of the global push for MPA expansion and the literature on MPA governance. We then explain the context for marine resource governance in American Samoa. Next, we lay out the origins and rationale behind each MPA type in the territory, the institutions involved and governance approaches taken, and how each type of MPA fits into the unique social-ecological and governance context in American Samoa. We evaluate governance opportunities and challenges involved in combining Western management approaches with Samoan cultural institutions and tenure systems; compliance with and enforcement