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This report presents results from a study for selected contaminants in fish and shellfish collected from the United States Territory of American Samoa, located in the tropical South Pacific. This study was conducted at the Tier 2-level in accordance with US EPA protocols, and follows previously completed Tier 1-level screening studies for the Territory. Data collected were used to recommend consumption limits for fish and shellfish that contain elevated concentrations of inorganic arsenic (As(i)), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Samoa's climate is typical of small tropical islands, geographically isolated from big landmasses. The climate is tropical and marked by a distinct wet and warm (November -April) and dry and cool (May - October) seasons. Temperatures are typically tropical (ranging from 24 - 32°C daily) and generally uniform throughout the year with little seasonal variation due to Samoa's near-equatorial location. The rainfall and humidity are usually high with the average annual rainfall about 3,000mm with approximately 66% of the precipitation occurring during the wet season.

The Earth has experienced many changes during its 4.5 billion year life. There have been ice ages as well as periods of heat and low rainfall. The Earth is accustomed to experiencing wide-spread severe environmental change and it has always adapted to these changes. Since human beings have lived 011 this planet they have coped with earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, droughts, floods, heat waves and mini-ice ages as well as numerous other forms of environmental hazards. Yet human beings have not had to cope with a warming of the planet at the speed and scale that is currently occurring and that is expected to increase over the coming decades and centuries.

In Tonga, IWP targets pilot projects that address waste management with a view to improving freshwater and marine resources. To facilitate the IWP in Tonga, the Government of Tonga, through the Department of Environment and the IWP Project Coordination Unit, based at SPREP, have commissioned this inventory of environment related legislation and institutions in Tonga.