The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) will begin their annual Ocean Star Youth Program this morning at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei. The program, which has already registered students from grades 5 through 8, will be running up through July 30, and will have between 30 and 40 students.

This month, the NMSAS will be wrapping up their June and July activities that included the Get Into Your Sanctuary (GIYS) program and the Ocean Science/Ocean Swimming (OS/OS) program. The GIYS program is an eight month event that highlights each of the Sanctuary Units within the NMSAS system. Between August and October, the GIYS will highlight Fagalua/Fogama’a, Muliava (Rose Atoll) and Swains Island.

On July 31, presentations will be made from the elementary and high school students who participated in the Ocean Star Youth and OS/OS programs.  At that time, the youth will share with their parents and friends what they learned from the various NMSAS programs.

Some of the subjects which students have covered, and continue to learn about, are related to basic marine science, what threatens our local coastal environment, how to protect that environment, and how important it is to keep our waters debris -free. The students have also learned how to swim, and learned the mechanics of water safety as part of the program.

Also scheduled for July 31 at the ocean center, the NMSAS will be hosting a movie night for the participants, starting at 5:00 p.m.  For more information on the NMSAS programs call 633-6500.