Overfishing

American Samoa is faced with a rapidly growing population (approximately 2% per year) with respect to habitable land area and capacity. Nearshore fisheries have always been an important component in the Samoan way of life. However, overexploitation of reef species along with the following: population increase, natural disturbances, poor land use practices, destructive fishing methods, and a lack of enforcement of current regulations have led to a serious decline in living marine resources. For an overview of American Samoa's current fishing regulations, see the linked document A Rule to Regulate Fishing, American Samoa Administrative Code.