In June 2026, NOAA Fisheries scientists worked with the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and local fishermen on a bottomfish life history survey in American Samoa. The survey combined shore-based sampling from tournaments and small boats with data collection aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette. It was the first comprehensive effort to collect the biological and catch data needed for individual stock assessments of six key bottomfish species.
NOAA Fisheries has published a photo gallery of the survey, including:
- Planning sessions with local fishermen in February 2026, and a community tour of the Oscar Elton Sette
- NOAA and DMWR staff running a weigh-in during shore-based sampling
- Work at sea off Taʻū and Ofu-Olosega with Manuʻa fishers and DMWR staff, including handling Palu-loa and tagging Palu-ula and Palu-gutusiliva
- DMWR representatives returning sampled fish to the community on Aunuʻu
View the photo gallery on NOAA Fisheries · Read more about the survey in Advancing Bottomfish Research Through Community Partnerships.
Published by NOAA Fisheries on September 29, 2026. Photo: a double rainbow over the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette off Taʻū (John Wiley/NOAA Fisheries).