Marine Protected Species of American Samoa
Pacific Islands species lists under NOAA Fisheries jurisdiction from American Samoa.
Marine Mammals
All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Those identified under the endangered species listing are also protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Endangered and Threatened Species
| Common Name | Scientific Name | ESA Listing Status |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Whale | Balaenoptera musculus | Endangered |
| Fin Whale | Balaenoptera physalus | Endangered |
| Sei Whale | Balaenoptera borealis | Endangered |
| Sperm Whale | Physeter macrocephalus | Endangered |
Sea Turtles
All sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | ESA Listing Status |
|---|---|---|
| Central South Pacific Green Turtle | Chelonia mydas | Endangered |
| Hawksbill Turtle | Eretmochelys imbricata | Endangered |
| Leatherback Turtle | Dermochelys coriacea | Endangered |
| South Pacific Loggerhead Turtle | Caretta caretta | Endangered |
| Olive Ridley Turtle | Lepidochelys olivacea | Threatened |
Fish
| Common Name | Scientific Name | ESA Listing Status |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-West Pacific Scalloped Hammerhead Shark | Sphyrna lewini | Threatened |
| Giant Manta Ray | Mobula birostris | Threatened |
| Oceanic Whitetip Shark | Carcharhinus longimanus | Threatened |
Invertebrates
NOAA Fisheries has listed coral species in American Samoa as threatened under the ESA. This list represents the best available information on species presence at this time but could change as additional information becomes available.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | ESA Listing Status |
|---|---|---|
| Coral | Acropora globiceps | Threatened |
| Coral | Acropora retusa | Threatened |
| Coral | Acropora speciosa | Threatened |
| Coral | Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa | Threatened |
| Coral | Isopora crateriformis | Threatened |
| Chambered Nautilus | Nautilus pompilius | Threatened |
| Fluted Giant Clam | Tridacna squamosa | Proposed threatened1 |
| Horse's Hoof Clam | Hippopus hippopus | Proposed threatened |
| Small Giant Clam | Tridacna maxima | Proposed threatened1 |
| Smooth Giant Clam | Tridacna derasa | Proposed endangered |
| True Giant Clam | Tridacna gigas | Proposed endangered |
1Proposed threatened, but under section 4(e) of the ESA for similarity of appearance (89 FR 60498).
Critical Habitat
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Green Turtle | Chelonia mydas | Proposed |
| Pacific Coral | - | Proposed |
More Information
- Find A Species and learn more about their biology and population status, where they live, the threats they face, and how we are conserving and studying each species.
- Marine protected species of the Hawaiian Islands
- Marine protected species of the Mariana Islands
- Marine protected species of American Samoa