The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary) is one of many federally-designated underwater areas protected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This sanctuary is the largest and most remote in the National Marine Sanctuary system. Spanning 13,581 sq mi, it is home to the greatest biodiversity of aquatic species of all marine sanctuaries. Among them are expansive coral reefs, including some of the oldest Porites coral heads on earth, deep-water reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare archeological resources. It was established in 1986, and then expanded and renamed in 2012. The American Samoa archipelago is located in the mid-south Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It is the only American Territory south of the equator. The Park has one visitor center in Tutuila, known as Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center. There are exhibits for all ages, and it is open year-round. Description The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa comprises six protected areas: Fagatele Bay and Fagalua/Fogama`a (the bay east of Fagatele) on the island of Tutuila, areas at Aunuʻu, Taʻū, Swains Island, and Rose Atoll. This most remote of all the National Marine Sanctuaries is the only true tropical reef in the program. While it is one of the most protected and beautiful, it also bears the scars of some recent and severe natural disasters. The Fagatele Bay portion of the sanctuary is completely contained in the of the bay formed by an eroded volcanic crater . The land surrounding the bay resides in the hands of the families who have lived near the bay's slopes for thousands of years. Fortunately, there is little development in the watershed and the one reliable stream that empties near the beach runs clear and clean. The fringing coral reef ecosystem nestled within Fagatele Bay is a vibrant tropical marine ecosystem, filled with all sorts of brightly colored tropical fish, including parrot fish, damselfish and butterfly fish, as well as other sea creatures like lobster, crabs, sharks and octopus. From June to September, southern humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to calve and court in Samoan waters. Visitors can hear courting males sing whale songs, which the whales may be using to attract mates. Several species of dolphin, as well as threatened and endangered species of sea turtles, such as the hawksbill and green sea turtle, are