# Rose Atoll
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{{short description|Atoll in American Samoa}}
{{distinguish|Rose Island (disambiguation)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Rose Atoll
| other_name =
| native_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Atoll
| motto =
| image_skyline = Nwrroseatollside320.gif
| imagesize = 200px
| image_caption = Rose Atoll
| image_flag =
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| image_map = Rose Atoll.png
| mapsize = 200px
| map_caption = NASA satellite imagery
| image_dot_map =
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| pushpin_map = Oceania#Pacific Ocean
| pushpin_label_position =
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| subdivision_type = Territory
| subdivision_name = [American Samoa](/source/American_Samoa)
| population_total = 0
| population_density_km2 = 0
| population_density_sq_mi = 0
| timezone =
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| coordinates = {{coord|14|32|48|S|168|09|07|W|region:MH_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Rose Atoll Marine National Monument
| iucn_category = V
| image = Reef3261 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Oceanographers deploy a buoy inside Rose Atoll
| image_size =
| relief = yes
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 10
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
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| coordinates = {{Coord|14.5458333|S|168.15|W|region:US-AS_scale:1000000|format=dms|display=inline}}
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|8,571,633|acre}}[{{FWS area|year=2010|accessdate=2012-03-18}}]
| created = 2009
| governing_body = [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/United_States_Fish_and_Wildlife_Service)
| website = [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rose_atoll_marine_national_monument/ Rose Atoll Marine National Monument]
}}
{{location mark||image=Samoa islands 2002.gif|width=320|type=thumb|float=right|caption=Map of the [Samoan Islands](/source/Samoan_Islands), showing the location of Rose Atoll|x=989|y=407}}
'''Rose Atoll''', sometimes called '''Rose Island''' or '''Motu O Manu''' ("Bird Island") by people of the [Manu'a Islands](/source/Manu'a_Islands), is an oceanic [atoll](/source/atoll) within the [U.S. territory](/source/U.S._territory) of [American Samoa](/source/American_Samoa). An uninhabited wildlife refuge, it is the [southernmost point belonging to the United States](/source/Extreme_points_of_the_United_States), about {{convert|170|mi|nmi km}} to the east of [Tutuila](/source/Tutuila), the principal island of American Samoa. The land area is just {{convert|0.05|km2|acre|abbr=on}} at high tide. The total area of the atoll, including [lagoon](/source/lagoon) and reef flat amounts to {{convert|6.33|km2|acre|abbr=on}}. Just west of the northernmost point is a channel into the lagoon, about {{convert|80|m|sigfig=2}} wide. There are two islets on the northeastern rim of the reef, larger Rose Island, {{convert|3.5|m}} high, in the east and the non-vegetated Sand Island, {{convert|1.5|m|ft|0}} high, in the north.
The Rose Atoll Marine National Monument that lies on the two outstanding islands of the atoll is managed cooperatively between the [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/U.S._Fish_and_Wildlife_Service) and the government of [American Samoa](/source/American_Samoa).[{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wnwr/prosenwr.html |title=PI - Rose Atoll NWR |access-date=2005-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230041515/http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wnwr/prosenwr.html |archive-date=2005-12-30 }}]
The nearly square atoll is one of the smallest in the world, measuring only {{convert|2.6|x|2.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}. It is also the only atoll of the [Samoan Islands](/source/Samoan_Islands). ([Swains Island](/source/Swains_Island) is also an atoll, but only politically part of American Samoa, not geographically.)
Rose Atoll is quite isolated, the closest island to it being [Taʻū](/source/Ta%CA%BB%C5%AB), {{convert|140|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the WNW.
==History==
The earliest Western sighting was June 13, 1722, during the voyage of [Jacob Roggeveen](/source/Jacob_Roggeveen), who called it ''Vuil Eiland'' "useless island".[[Augustin Kraemer](/source/Augustin_Kraemer). Samoa Islands. Vol.2, Pg.5.] The name Rose Island comes from its sighting by [Louis de Freycinet](/source/Louis_de_Freycinet) in 1819. He named it after his wife [Rose](/source/Rose_de_Freycinet). While the second woman to circumnavigate the globe, Rose de Freycinet was the first to tell her tale.[{{cite web |url=http://202.14.152.30/collections/maritime/march/treasures/uranie/rose_etc.html |title=Rose_etc |access-date=2010-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704075059/http://202.14.152.30/collections/maritime/march/treasures/uranie/rose_etc.html |archive-date=2011-07-04 }}] In his official report Louis de Freycinet records that 'I named Rose Island, from the name of someone who is extremely dear to me'.[Rivière, M.S., 1996, A Woman of Courage: The journal of Rose de Freycinet on her voyage around the world 1817–1820. National Library of Australia. Canberra: xxi] Soon afterwards, in 1824, it was seen by the expedition under [Otto von Kotzebue](/source/Otto_von_Kotzebue), who named it ''Kordinkov'' after his First Lieutenant.
[Apollo 10](/source/Apollo_10) returned to Earth in the ocean near Rose Atoll on May 26, 1969. The three astronauts were treated to a lavish welcome at [Pago Pago International Airport](/source/Pago_Pago_International_Airport) before being flown to Hawai’i.[Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). ''Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000''. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 138. ISBN 9829036022.]
== Protection ==
The island was protected as the '''Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge''' in 1973 with {{convert|39,066|acre|sqmi sqnmi km2|2}}, only {{convert|20|acre|ha}} of which is emergent. The wildlife refuge is managed by the [United States Fish and Wildlife Service](/source/United_States_Fish_and_Wildlife_Service).[{{Cite web |title=Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge {{!}} About Us {{!}} U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |url=https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rose-atoll/about-us |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=www.fws.gov |language=en-us}}]
'''Rose Atoll Marine National Monument''' is a [United States National Monument](/source/National_monument_(United_States)) covering {{convert|8,571,633|acre|sqmi sqnmi km2|2}}. It was established in 2009.[{{cite web | title=Rose Atoll Marine National Monument | NOAA Fisheries | date=May 21, 2025 | url=https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/rose-atoll-marine-national-monument }}] At the signing of the order establishing the monument, President [George W. Bush](/source/George_W._Bush) noted that "the waters surrounding the atoll are the home of many rare species, including giant clams and reef sharks—as well as an unusual abundance of rose-colored corals".[{{cite web |date=6 January 2009 |title=Bush Conserves Vast Areas of Pacific Ocean as Monuments |url=http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-06-02.html |access-date=24 November 2010 |work=Environment News Service International Daily Newswire |publisher=ENS}}] The monument's marine areas were incorporated into the [National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa](/source/National_Marine_Sanctuary_of_American_Samoa) in 2014; they are co-managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the [Office of National Marine Sanctuaries](/source/Office_of_National_Marine_Sanctuaries), a component of the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/source/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration) (NOAA).
{|
|left|thumb|250x250px|President Bush signs paperwork establishing the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument on January 6, 2009.
|left|thumb|250px
|}
== Fauna ==
[[File:Pink coralline algae Rose Atoll.PNG|thumb|Pink [coralline algae](/source/coralline_algae) at Rose Atoll.]]
Rose Atoll contains the largest populations of [giant clam](/source/giant_clam)s, [nesting seabirds](/source/seabird) and rare reef fish in all of American Samoa. The fish population is different from the rest of the region due to a high concentration of [carnivorous](/source/carnivore) fish and low concentration of [herbivorous fish](/source/herbivore). Almost 270 different species of fish have been recorded in the last 15 years. [Tuna](/source/Tuna), [mahi-mahi](/source/mahi-mahi), [billfish](/source/billfish), [barracuda](/source/barracuda) and [shark](/source/shark)s reside outside the lagoon. In deeper waters, [tunicate](/source/tunicate)s and [stalked crinoid](/source/crinoid)s have been spotted by scuba expeditions. Sea mammals such as the endangered [humpback whale](/source/humpback_whale) and the dolphin genus ''[Stenella](/source/Stenella)'' also use the waters.[{{cite web| title = US Fish & Wildlife Rose Atoll Marine National Monument| url = http://www.fws.gov/roseatollmarinemonument/|date= August 25, 2009| access-date = August 25, 2009}}]
The atoll is a critical nesting [habitat](/source/habitat) for the threatened [green turtle](/source/green_turtle) and the endangered [hawksbill turtle](/source/hawksbill_turtle). The turtles migrate between American Samoa and other Pacific island nations. Their nesting season is between the months of August and February.
It is a nesting site for rare species of [petrel](/source/petrel)s, [shearwater](/source/shearwater)s, and [tern](/source/tern)s. Approximately 97% of American Samoa's seabird population resides on Rose Atoll. Each of the 12 bird species is federally protected. [Red-footed boobies](/source/red-footed_booby) and greater and lesser [frigate birds](/source/frigatebird) nest in the buka trees. [Black noddies](/source/black_noddy) and [white tern](/source/white_tern)s nest in the middle and lower branches. The root system is used by [reef heron](/source/Pacific_reef_heron)s and [red-tailed tropic birds](/source/red-tailed_tropicbird). Other birds can be found in the ''[Pisonia](/source/Pisonia)'' forest, the only one left in Samoa.[{{cite web| title = US Fish & Wildlife Service Rose Atoll Wildlife and Habitat| url = http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/WildHabitat.cfm?ID=12514|date= August 25, 2009
| access-date = August 25, 2009}}] The atoll has been recognised as an [Important Bird Area](/source/Important_Bird_Area) (IBA) by [BirdLife International](/source/BirdLife_International) because it supports a breeding population of some 400,000 [sooty tern](/source/sooty_tern)s, as estimated in 1974.[{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rose-atoll-iba-american-samoa|title= Rose Atoll|author= |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 14 February 2021}}]
==See also==
{{Portal|Islands}}
* [Rose Island Concrete Monument](/source/Rose_Island_Concrete_Monument)
* [List of national monuments of the United States](/source/List_of_national_monuments_of_the_United_States)
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rose_atoll_marine_national_monument/ Rose Atoll Marine National Monument] – FWS
* [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rose_atoll/ Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge]
* [https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/rose-atoll-marine-national-monument Rose Atoll Marine National Monument] – NOAA Fisheries
* [http://www.fws.gov/roseatoll/RoseAtoll%20Planning%20Update%201.pdf Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Planning Update]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121026073139/https://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2009-01/44374653.pdf Copy of official map] of National Monument designation (PDF)
* [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2009/01/20090106-7.html White House Press Release on Monument Designation]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060913085754/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/ARB/028-30/029.pdf A Summary of Information on Rose Atoll (Atoll Research Bulletin #29)]
{{commonscat|Rose Atoll}}
{{American Samoa}}{{Protected Areas of American Samoa|uncollapsed}}{{National Monuments of the United States}}{{National Wildlife Refuges of the United States}}{{Authority control}}
Category:Uninhabited islands of American Samoa
Category:Atolls of American Samoa
Category:Important Bird Areas of American Samoa
Category:Important Bird Areas of the Samoan Islands
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rose Atoll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Atoll) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Atoll?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.