A team led by Christophe Bailahce of Underwater Earth, Catlin Seaview Survey and Kalewa Correa of Google Street View will be mapping Muliava (Rose Atoll), Ta'u (Manu’a), Fagatele, Fagalua/ Fogama'a and Aunu'u units from now until December 14.

 Superintendent of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS), Gene Brighouse is inviting everyone to attend a presentation showcase of preliminary visual images of both Google Street View and Catlin Seaview Survey products set for Dec.15 at 11 a.m. at the Tauese P. F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei.

Those wanting to view a short clip that was recently completed by Catlin of the Great Barrier Reef using still imagery can do so by logging on to <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-DvBjKonJU>

“Their work encompasses both still and 360-degree panoramic recordings of coral reefs and land,” Brighouse said. “These products will be made available online to place the territory on the map of the only set of comprehensive Google products from land to sea.”

Yesterday, Brighouse wrote to Samoa News via email saying, “this team is actually quite amazing in what they are doing for American Samoa with the collection of 360 degree imagery that totally allows the person to experience reefs as if they are the ones diving!”

The group is on a tight schedule, planning to be at the Malaloa dock by 7:30 a.m. today and then reloading and prepping for their mission to Manu'a and the Rose Atoll (National Marine Monument) at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.

According to Brighouse, the group carried out their first dives yesterday and will continue today in Tutuila waters, before heading to Ta’u, Manu’a tomorrow.

On Wednesday, the group is expecting to dive at the Rose Atoll or Muliava before heading back to Manu’a to dive through the Ofu Marine Park on Thursday, and then finish up in Ta'u on Friday.

The team will finish up with the Tutuila sites next weekend.

The two members of Catlin are Christophe Bailacche and Richard Vivers who arrived last Friday and will be presenting a showcase for the NMSAS and local residents on December 15, while Kalewa Correa will be completing the Google Street view imagery.

“Both these products will place us as the first sanctuary out of the system to have a comprehensive set of land and underwater Google products!” Brighouse explained. “This is going to be awesome for everyone and promote heightened visibility and outreach for American Samoa abroad.”