Each year, humpback whales come to the warm tropical waters of Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary to court and calve. Humpback whales can grow up to 45 feet long. They are baleen whales, which means that they strain plankton, krill and small fish out of the water for food. They were hunted for their skin and for oil. Although most countries have laws against killing whales, they are not all strictly enforced and some countries would like to resume whaling. Currently there are only about 30,000 humpback whales left in the world.

Sea Turtles

Endangered sea turtles also visit the sanctuary. Divers and fishermen occasionally see hawksbill and green sea turtles. If they are very lucky they might also see loggerheads, leatherbacks, and olive ridley sea turtles.

The green turtle is known for its tasty meat. It is the only sea turtle that has an entirely vegetarian diet. They can grow up to three feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Green turtles are actually brown on the outside, but their fat is green because of their diet of sea grass.

Many consider the hawksbill the most beautiful sea turtle. They can reach an adult size of three feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. They live in coral reef environments and feed mostly on sponges. They are prized for their shells, which are used to make tortoise shell jewelry, eyeglass frames, hair clips, etc. Both hawksbill and green turtles are often stuffed and used for decoration.

But hunters are not the only problem as sea turtle populations worldwide continue to fall. Their homes, the coral reefs and seagrass communities are also dying out because of pollution, destructive fishing techniques and careless boaters and divers, as well as people who take the coral to make jewelry and various knick-knacks for souvenir shops.

Since female sea turtles do not begin to lay eggs until they are around 20 years old, it will take a long time, even if they are safe from hunters, for the population to recover.

Protection

In the United States and in American Samoa it is against the law to kill or harm a sea turtle. Not every nation has these same regulations however, and the laws are not always obeyed. In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The purpose of the ESA is to recover species that are in danger of human-cause extinction. Because so many species are listed when their populations have hit rock bottom, it takes long-term intensive efforts to bring them back to viable and sustainable levels. Of the 128 U.S. species that were on the endangered species list when the ESA was passed in 1973, 59% have been recovered, are improving, or are in stable condition. Many more species have been rescued from certain extinction. National Marine Sanctuaries like Fagatele Bay protect and preserve endangered species and their unique marine environments, ensuring that they will always have a home.