The annual conference of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures, APIL begins today in American Samoa.
The association comprises lawmakers from the US Pacific territories, freely associated states and the state of Hawaii.
For the next two days delegates will hold discussions on the environment, management of ocean resources , and shipping services in the Pacific.
Yap Senator Sabino Sauchomal, the President of APIL, says countries must work together to protect the Pacific.
"If we don't take care of our part of the Pacific oceans what we do in our particular area may spread and affect other entities outside our own area."
