Long term monitoring of Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Tutuila Island, American Samoa: results of surveys conducted in 2007/8, including a re-survey of the historic Aua Transect

The coral reefs of American Samoa have faced numerous disturbances over recent decades, including starfish outbreaks, hurricanes, high water temperatures, and human-induced impacts like pollution and overfishing. These events have led to significant changes in coral communities, prompting long-term monitoring efforts since the late 1970s to track the recovery or further decline of coral and fish populations, particularly in Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary.