October 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary System. To celebrate, we’ve created 3D Augmented Reality displaying custom artwork and educational information made by the incredible team at NOAA celebrating the wildlife that thrives in these protected waters around the nation.

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is located in the cradle of Polynesia’s oldest culture. It comprises six protected areas covering 13,581 square miles of nearshore coral reef and open ocean across the Samoan archipelago. The sanctuary protects extensive coral reefs, deep-water reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare marine archaeological resources. NOAA co-manages the sanctuary with the American Samoa government and works closely with local communities, all within the context of Samoan cultural traditions and practices. “Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele” (We must be of one mind in the undertaking).

About the Artwork
Samoan culture, customs, and language underpin a traditional way of life and stewardship of marine resources. The poster features an ava bowl used for ceremonial practices, a Samoan Fale (house) found in villages, and a fantasy or long boat canoe. Underwater, tropical coral gardens teeming with marine life, including iconic humphead wrasses, endangered hawksbill sea turtles, giant clams, massive Porites corals, and colorful parrotfish, while an oceanic whitetip shark and yellowfin tuna swim near the reef edge.

LOCATION
• Six individual marine protected areas in the Samoan Archipelago

PROTECTED AREA
• 13,581 square miles

DESIGNATION
• Fagatele Bay: April 1986 Expansion: September 2012

HABITATS
• Coral reefs
• Deep sea
• Hydrothermal vents
• Mesophotic coral ecosystem
• Open ocean
• Seamounts

KEY SPECIES
• Giant clam
• Hawksbill sea turtle
• Humphead wrasse
• Oceanic whitetip shark
• Shallow and deep-sea corals
• Southern humpback whale
• Steephead parrotfish
• White-tailed tropicbird
• Yellowfin tuna

ARTWORK BY : Matt McIntosh 

Official website: https://monitor.noaa.gov/