The Governor of American Samoa is seeking to establish a task-force on global warming.
Togiola Tulafono told the US Coral Reefs Task Force that sea warming is beginning to have serious implications on island living.
Mr Tulafono told the meeting that the Pacific is already seeing more coral being bleached or even killed due to the warming of nearshore waters.
The Coral Reefs Task Force also heard an initial design study for a marine laboratory in the Territory has been completed.
The Territorial governor called for federal assistance to attract marine science researchers to the islands.
He said the Territory must invest in its youth by providing opportunities to further their education and undertake careers in marine science.
