2026 American Samoa Bottomfish Life History Survey in Photos

In June 2026, NOAA Fisheries scientists traveled to American Samoa to conduct a bottomfish life history survey. The survey involved shore-based sampling from tournaments and small boats as well as data collection aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette . This groundbreaking, community-centered survey was the first comprehensive effort to collect biological and spatial catch per unit effort data required to conduct individual stock assessments for six key bottomfish species in the region.

These photos tell the story of this survey, from early consultations and survey planning sessions with local fishermen in early 2026 to distributing sampled fish from a successful survey back to American Samoan communities for consumption at the survey's close.