Rapid Reef Response Plans
Below you can find the master plan as well as separated individual response plans to guide CRAG agencies and partners during specific disturbance scenarios that affect American Samoa including bleaching, vessel groundings, disease, crown-of-thorns outbreaks, and natural disasters. Click on the icons for the full document. Convenient response flowcharts are located at the bottom of the page.
Rapid Reef Response Plan (full)
Bleaching Response Plan
The American Samoa Coral Bleaching Response Plan exists to maximize the effective coordination of activities conducted by CRAG and the CRAG Coordination. This plan will ensure efficient use of resources and human capital by providing a standardized framework for responding to coral bleaching events.
Coral Disease Response Plan
(coming soon)
The disease protocol is initiated any time a potential disease is reported or observed in the field, so that CRAG agencies and partners can effectively conduct rapid assessment and intervention procedures.
Crown of Thorns Response Plan
(coming soon)
This protocol should be initiated if there are reports of increased populations of Crown of Thorns Starfish (COTS) (‘alamea’, Acanthaster planci) in American Samoa. COTS are naturally occurring corallivores in the Pacific region, but can become a nuisance in high numbers. A single COTS can consume up to 100 sq. ft. of living coral in a year, with a preference for fast-growing scleractinians. COTS outbreaks are increasingly likely due to overfishing of their natural predators, leaving their populations unchecked.
Natural Disaster Response Plan
(coming soon)
This plan provides historical context on natural disasters affecting American Samoa’s islands and outlines a standard operating procedure for responding to impacts to coastal areas following a natural disaster. Finally, this response plan offers mitigation strategies to be implemented in order to reduce damage to American Samoa’s natural systems.
Response Flowcharts
These flowcharts represent a convenient overview of response actions for each disturbance scenario.
