The NOAA research vessel Oscar Elton Sette is carrying out fisheries studies in the waters of Samoa and American Samoa for the next 100 days.
This morning Commanding Officer of the vessel, Lt. Commander Keith Golden , and his team of commissioned officers, scientists and crew hosted traditional leaders on board.
According to the Captain, it’s important for any mission that NOAA carries out in foreign waters, that the community understands their purpose and methods and support their work.
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and District Governors Misaalefua Hudson and Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson received a briefing about the vessel’s mission in the Samoan archipelago from Captain Golden and Supervisory Research Scientist Robert Humphreys.
While the vessel will be mostly out at sea there will be times when small boats will be close to shore collecting small fish for research purposes.
Dr. Humphreys says their work here is to improve data on certain reef fish..classified as data poor fish.
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A local marine science student who interned at the National Marine Sanctuary, Ropate Delana, is joining the expedition.
And one staff member from the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources will go on the Samoa leg of the research.
The Samoan Affairs officials got a tour of the vessel and were treated to a lavish breakfast served up by the American Samoan head chef, Clementine Gebauer Lutali.
Right after hosting the local officials. the vessel left port to study fish but will be back in May and if all goes according to plan, there will be opportunity for school tours of the research vessel.
