PARENT SESSION
Oral Contributed Papers: Policy and Outreach
Moderator: Schnase, John¹, ¹ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Thursday, November 6, 2003, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Biscayne

ASSIST: Development of the American Samoa Selected Invasive Species Taskforce.

Hanson, D. Eric^*,1, ¹ American Samoa Community College Community & Natural Resources, Pago Pago, AS, US

ABSTRACT- American Samoa is a US Territory composed of 7 islands. It is in the South Pacific 2600 miles southwest of Hawaii. It has a history of invasive alien problems, including animals, e.g., cane toad (Bufo marinus) and giant African snail (Achatina fulica), plants, e.g., Koster′s curse (Clidemia hirta) and wild tamarind (Luceana leucocephala), and diseases, e.g., taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae). Limited communication among governmental agencies increases the challenges of effectively managing invasive species. Created to respond to these problems, the American Samoa Invasive Species Taskforce (ASSIST) includes researchers, management specialists, and concerned citizens. The group′s goals are: 1) to increase public awareness about invasive species problems, 2) improve agency awareness of invasives and communication about measures for their management, and 3) coordinate management efforts on these species. ASSIST created an invasive plant species priority list based on present distribution in American Samoa, extent of (potential) impact, and feasability of control or eradication. Many of the species on this list are ornamentals that are potentially invasive but not yet a problem, or introduced plants with a limited distribution that could be eradicated. A manager′s field guide is being published with photos and descriptive text for these species. ASSIST is developing brochures to increase public awareness of specific plants to avoid bringing into the Territory. A media presentations for commercial air carriers serving the islands is also planned. There are significant biological, administrative, and cultural challenges to overcome, but ASSIST should prove to be an effective means to overcome these obstacles.

Key words: interagency collaboration, Pacific islands, public awareness, coordinated management