The American Samoa Government was officially handed 500 baby clams, or faisua, from Samoa in a ceremony at Fagaalu Park this morning.
The gift of faisua was agreed to at the Atoa o Smaoa talks in Apia in October. Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt led the official handover, accompanied by the Associate Minister, CEO and Assistant CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
An ava ceremony was held, after which prayers were offered by Reverend Lalomauga Pa’au of the Fagaalu.
Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga thanked the Samoa Government and Minister Laaulialemalietoa for the faisua, and said this was a visible result of the discussions at the Atoa o Samoa. 
He said it was important for both Samoa and American Samoa to witness the results of the face to face meetings and exchanges between the two sides.
Laauli said Samoa is happy to share the gifts of faisua with American Samoa and to help provide food for our people. He said, Samoa will happily provide more faisua if needed.
Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Archie Taotasi Soliai told KHJ News the clams will be nurtured in Fagaalu, and will be distributed to other villages at a later time.
Seven staff members from Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will spend two weeks here to train local staff on taking care of the faisua and participate in cross training with DMWR.
