Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Rose Atoll Marine National Monument is a U.S.
national monument in the South Pacific Ocean, covering 13,451 square miles (8,608,640 acres) and encompassing the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1973 with 39,066 acres (only 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) emergent). Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The monument's marine areas are likely to also be incorporated in the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
.
Rose Atoll is a small island about 170 miles (273.6 km) to the east of Tutuila
, the principal island of American Samoa
. It is a nesting site for rare species of petrel
s, shearwater
s, and tern
s; and at the signing of the order establishing the monument, President George W. Bush
noted that "the waters surrounding the atoll are the home of many rare species, including giant clams and reef sharks—as well as an unusual abundance of rose-colored corals". The wildlife refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
, and the wider-ranging monument waters are managed by NOAA
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
national monument in the South Pacific Ocean, covering 13,451 square miles (8,608,640 acres) and encompassing the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1973 with 39,066 acres (only 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) emergent). Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The monument's marine areas are likely to also be incorporated in the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a national marine sanctuary in American Samoa. It is the smallest, yet one of the most important, marine sanctuaries as it is home to more fish and marine mammals than any other marine sanctuary...
.
Rose Atoll is a small island about 170 miles (273.6 km) to the east of Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
, the principal island of American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
. It is a nesting site for rare species of petrel
Petrel
Petrels are tube-nosed seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. The common name does not indicate relationship beyond that point, as "petrels" occur in three of the four families within that group...
s, shearwater
Shearwater
Shearwaters are medium-sized long-winged seabirds. There are more than 30 species of shearwaters, a few larger ones in the genus Calonectris and many smaller species in the genus Puffinus...
s, and tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
s; and at the signing of the order establishing the monument, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
noted that "the waters surrounding the atoll are the home of many rare species, including giant clams and reef sharks—as well as an unusual abundance of rose-colored corals". The wildlife refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
, and the wider-ranging monument waters are managed by NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
.
External links
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service profile
- Refuge Website
- Copy of official map of National Monument designation (PDF)
- White House Press Release on Monument Designation