NERTO Synopsis: National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) is composed of six protected areas covering 13,581 miles of nearshore coral reef and offshore ocean waters across the Samoan Archipelago. The sanctuary supports a variety of corals, invertebrates, fish, turtles, marine mammals, and marine plants, as well as hydrothermal vent and deep-water habitats. The Sanctuary Program provides protection of these natural resources through research and education, which foster public understanding and stewardship of this nationally significant marine area.

The objective of this internship is to engage graduate studies in coral reef ecology and ecosystem studies in support of NOAA and NMSAS missions. This project provides the student opportunities to develop field work skills; conduct data collection analyses; enrich themselves in a unique Pacific Island culture; correlate data with current and former studies conducted in American Samoa; and foster a connection with NOAA’s Marine Sanctuary System.