American Samoa & the Pacific Remote Islands: Out of touch ... in the dead zone

About the Expedition

On January 21, 2010, scientists from the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (CRED/PIFSC), along with visiting scientists from the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego State University, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local agencies in American Samoa, departed on a three month expedition to Johnston Atoll, Howland and Baker Islands, American Samoa, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Kingman Reef aboard the NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai. This is the fifth biennial Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP) expedition to American Samoa and the seventh to the Pacific Remote Island Areas. The expedition is sponsored by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and is divided into three segment sequentially led by Chief Scientists Benjamin Richards, Rusty Brainard and Jamison Gove.

The strategic goal of this research is to improve scientific understanding of coral reef ecosystems throughout the Pacific, and serve as the basis for improved conservation and resource management. The recent designation of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument highlights the importance of this research.

With their extremely isolated location, many of the Pacific Remote Island Areas host a vibrate marine ecosystem. Previous Pacific RAMP cruises have documented relatively high coral cover and diversity; and high densities of large-bodied reef fish including large numbers of apex predators such as Grey Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and Scalloped Hammerhead sharks (Sphyraena lewini). Many of these apex predators are rare near human population centers. AS in previous years, this Pacific RAMP cruise will perform a suite of standardized multi-disciplinary methods which include Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA) for fish, corals, other large invertebrates, and algae; towed-diver surveys for large-bodied fish and habitat composition; and oceanographic studies, which include the measurement of conductivity, temperature, and density of the water column (CTD casts); water sampling; and deployment of sea-surface temperature (SST), subsurface temperature recorders (STR) and acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP). Scientists will also be deploying Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) to learn about changes in the presence and activity of marine mammals, fish, crustaceans and other sound-producing marine life when researchers aren't there to record it otherwise. Autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) will also be deployed as part of the CReefs project. ARMS are simple, standardized collecting structures designed to roughly mimic the structural complexity of reef habitats. They allow for the identification of small, hard-to-sample, but ecologically important cryptic invertebrates. ARMS are being utilized throughout the Pacific and globally to systematically assess spatial patterns and temporal changes of biodiversity. Use of the EARS and ARMS are an exciting addition to RAMP data collection efforts.

Follow along below to learn more about where we are going, what we are seeing, and what we have found ...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Out of touch ... in the dead zone

I have to apologize to all for our lapse in posts over the past few days. Our communication off the ship is handle via a connection to a satellite and we have been transiting through a "dead zone" near the equator for the past day or so. We have now crossed back into signal range and should be able to resume our normal posting schedule. Thanks to all for your patience and understanding.

Our transit from Baker Island to Pago Pago is going well and we are all looking forward to our continued operations in American Samoa.

4 comments:

AnonymousFebruary 12, 2010 at 5:04 PM
How is the weather in American Samoa now?
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NOAA CREDFebruary 12, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Tropical Cyclone Rene is currently passing over Samoa. We are weathering the storm in the lee of Opolu, Samoa, just north of Apia. This morning we experienced winds of up to 48 knots wind driving rain. Here in the lee, however, winds and seas are calm on top of a large swell.
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Haili RipleyFebruary 13, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Thanks for the the opportunity to stay abreast with your program as you head here to American Samoa.My Marine Life Teacher, Mr.Wayne Salavea students will love to engage with your studies and blog.Hope to see you soon in Am.Samoa.Our students would love to pay a visit on your boat and witness the programs you have on board.Several years back an excursion did happened when you had several schools of science clubs visit your ship.With the tsunami and TC 15 Rene affecting the lives of our students , this would be more of an educational reason to reinforce their awareness of the effects of El Nino and other natural affects that surround their lives here in American Samoa.

Faafetai Tele
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NOAA CREDFebruary 13, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Thanks for your comment Haili. We would love for you and Mr. Salavea's students to follow our expedition and blog. Please feel free to send along any questions they might have. We will also be having an open house on the Hi'ialakai on 2/15 from 1-3 in the afternoon in Pago Pago. All are welcome. The ship will be at the main pier in Pago Pago. Please email me directly at benjamin.richards@noaa.gov if you would like more specifics.
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