The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (formerly the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary[1]) is a federally-designated underwater area 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.[2] Spanning 13,581 sq mi,[2][3] it is thought to be home to the greatest biodiversity of aquatic species of all the marine sanctuaries.[2][4][5] 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.[1] It was established in 1986, and then expanded and renamed in 2012.
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The American Samoa archipelago is located in the mid-south Pacific Ocean, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.[6] It is the only American Territory south of the equator.[6] The Park has one visitor center in Tutuila, known as Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center.[7][8] There are exhibits for all ages, and it is open year-round.[8]