A scientific expedition is underway in American Samoa to map the ocean floor of a national marine sanctuary and a coral bank not far from Pago Pago harbour.
The expedition is being led by geo-scientist, Dr Dawn Wright, from the Oregon State University, who says they will be using remotely operated vehicles to take video and still pictures of the ocean floor.
"Dr Wright says the group will focus on the Fagatele (Fanga-tele) Bay sanctuary on the west side of the main island of Tutuila and the Taema coral bank, which is close to Pago Pago."
Our correspondent, Fili Sagapolutele, says there has been little study of these areas.
Information that they will be able to provide from this expedition will be able to give more information of the coastal area of the territory, especially the ocean floor, and the exact locations of some of these interesting areas that haven't been explored recently.
Fili Sagapolutele says the sanctuaries are protected from being exploited and there is interest as to what will be found.
