Meet the CRAG Coordination
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CRAG Coordinator
Sana Lynch
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As CRAG Coordinator, Sana Lynch manages CRAG projects, reports, documents, staff, and grants. The position allows efficient management of CRAG projects and effective coordination of multi-agency responses to requests for assistance and review from off-island organizations and research institutions. The coordinator plays a significant role in the territory’s participation in the USCRTF, sitting in for the POC when needed while representing the territory in various working groups.
Sana received their B.A. in Biology and a Certificate in Coastal and Marine Sciences at Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts
Received their M.P.S. in Coastal Zone Management at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami
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Coral Reef Education and Outreach Coordinator
Trevor Kaitu'u
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The Education and Outreach Coordinator’s role is to work with CRAG agencies to facilitate the creation of an informed public and to initiate proactive changes in behavior which benefit the environment. The Education and Outreach Coordinator will work closely with the AS Coral Reef Monitoring Program (ASCRMP) to disseminate synthesized data to various audiences. Linkages will be found in the ASCRMP Performance Measures and Data Dissemination Plan in the Appendix in the upcoming application. Programs are designed to reach broad portions of the public via all aspects of local media and directly by visits to church groups, schools, and public events. The Education and Outreach Coordinator implements the Education and Outreach Strategic Plan (found in the AS Healthy Coral Reef Local Action Strategy).
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Trevor received his B.S. in Marine Science at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Fiji Islands. Diploma in Teaching Science (Secondary) - SI National University, Solomon Islands.
Benthic Ecologist
Nicte-Ha Muñoz
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The Benthic Ecologist is responsible for all aspects of benthic monitoring, including methods, collecting and analyzing, managing the data, training staff on collection methodologies, and writing the benthic sections of the various reports. This position provides expertise to manage the Territory’s bleaching and disease response and inform Territorial managers on any event affecting coral reef benthos, such as bleaching, crown-of-thorns, tsunamis, hurricanes, or disease outbreaks. Reports will include the status of the coral reefs and invertebrates, coral and invertebrate data and analysis, and recommendations on management actions. The Coral Reef Ecologist facilitates and participates in the Territorial Restoration Working Group and the USCRTF Restoration Working Group and continues the development of the Territorial Restoration Plan.
Nicte-Ha Munoz received their B.A. in Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She received their M.P.S. in Marine Science with a specialty in Coral reefs at the Reef Systems Academic Unit (UASA) of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology UNAM, México. Nicte-Ha has participated in multiple research projects on marine science and conservation at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at the different labs hosted in Panama (NAOS, Galeta, Gamboa, and Bocas del Toro) and on NGOs in the Mexican Caribbean.
DSO/Monitoring Technician
Mathew Macdonald
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The DSO and Monitoring technician participates in all coral reef monitoring program fieldwork operations, conducting research and collecting data as assigned within the American Samoa archipelago. Matt maintains standards to remain a qualified scientific diver under the CRAG Dive Program, including maintaining the CRAG Dive Safety Manual.
Invasive Species Coordinator
Casidhe Mahuka
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The Invasive Species Coordinator is part of a community-based citizen science monitoring project that includes coordinating and implementing bimonthly phytoplankton monitoring in association with NOAA’s National Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN). The PMN is a community-based network of volunteers monitoring marine phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms (HABs). Other monitoring priorities include ballast water, biofouling, reef flats, and water quality. The ISC works with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to stay informed on SCTLD, VIDA, and regional biosecurity issues.
Casidhe received her B.S. in Environmental Studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu
American Samoa Reef Resilience Coordinator
Amanda Ho
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The Coral Reef Resilience Coordinator focuses on resilience-based management to support MPAs and manage disturbances like bleaching events and disease outbreaks. This role involves addressing climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems and implementing mitigation activities, complementing the American Samoa Coral Reef Monitoring Team by translating data into actionable management strategies. Key responsibilities include making direct management decisions using monitoring data, representing coral reef ecosystems on the PNRS Board, reviewing land-use permits, advising on the Territorial Sustainable Fisheries Management Plan, updating and implementing the Rapid Reef Response Plan, and developing the Territorial Reef Restoration Plan. This position is vital for promoting the long-term health and sustainability of American Samoa’s coral reefs through effective management practices and collaboration among stakeholders.
Amanda holds degrees in Oceanography and Environmental Science and Management. She earned her AAUS Scientific Diver certification through the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society and has won awards from The Green Initiative Fund, the Women Divers Hall of Fame, CSHEMA, and The Explorers Club.
American Samoa Coral Reef Management Fellow
Riley Garvey
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Riley Garvey is the National Coral Reef Management Fellow for American Samoa. Riley is originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and received his B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from Clemson University in 2021. For the past two years, Riley has been working with a nonprofit restoring corals to reefs in the Florida Keys. As the new Coral Fellow for American Samoa, Riley will focus on implementing some aspects of the Restoration Action Plan. Riley will work with CRAG to develop some restoration trials to build up American Samoa’s capacity for coral restoration and begin exploring options to install coral nurseries around the island. Additionally, Riley will assist with monitoring bleaching conditions and other long-term monitoring projects and work with CRAG partners on various projects as needed.
CRAG Alumni
American Samoa Coral Reef Management Fellow
Tilali Scanlan
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As the National Coral Reef Management Fellow, Tilali conducts coral restoration trials to improve the territory’s understanding of appropriate coral restoration interventions and to improve the reef ecosystem function in the selected site. The tasks of the Fellow are to prioritize restoration activities, assist in response monitoring, conduct education and outreach, and offer general support to the CRAG member agencies when necessary.
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Tilali received her B.S. in Marine Biology & Ocean Science at the University of the South Pacific at Fiji and Victoria University of Wellington, NZ
Coral Reef Fish Ecologist
Fuamai Ativalu Tago
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The Coral Reef Fish Ecologist develops training materials to develop local staff capacity and skill and establishes the coral reef fish monitoring protocols used by the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources. This position is imperative for logistic coordination for fieldwork and follow-ups on project administration-related activities and providing technical support for other resource management agencies. As an active member of the Fisheries Local Action Strategy Group and the Coral Reef Advisory Group, this position supports territorial efforts for science-based management. As part of the coordination team, this position helps develop grant project proposals and manages program budgets, grant reports, and procurement paperwork needs. This position develops the coral reef monitoring database and quality control protocols and conducts statistical data analysis techniques to inform and provide recommendations to local stakeholders on spatial and temporal trends of coral reef fish ecology in the territory.
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Fuamai studied marine science at American Samoa Community College then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where she received her B.S.