The US TerritoryThe US Territoryofof

GuamGuam

Jason BiggsJason Biggs

University of Guam Marine LaboratoryUniversity of Guam Marine Laboratory

Background• unincorporated US territorial possession (DOI)

• High Island, strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

• Size: 541 km2 • EEZ: ~218,000 km2 • Population: 175,877 (Jan. 2008 est.)

• GDP $2.5 billion; GDPper capita $28,860 (2007)

– 2006 unemployment rate 6.9%– 12% increase in immigrant alien workers last 6 mo. (28% TLF)

• Ethnicity: Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%,

mixed 9.8% (2000 census) • Economy: Tourism and Military spending

Insert relevant photo of your location

Insert relevant photo of your location

Major Environmental Major Environmental IssuesIssues

•U.S. Military buildup U.S. Military buildup

•Renewable energyRenewable energy

•Fishing vs. Marine PreservesFishing vs. Marine Preserves

•Pollution – waste Pollution – waste managementmanagement

Military build-Military build-upup

• infrastructure strain infrastructure strain • habitat destructionhabitat destruction• development indevelopment in anticipationanticipation

PollutioPollutionn

• ½ of beaches ½ of beaches were unsafe in were unsafe in 20012001

• solid wastesolid waste

• TanguissonTanguisson

• Cocos LagoonCocos Lagoon

Marine Marine PreservesPreserves

Are they working?Are they working?

Yes & NoYes & No

• The Preserves are a HUGE success.The Preserves are a HUGE success.

• People are still getting caught.People are still getting caught.

• 1.5 DAWR agents patrolling part 1.5 DAWR agents patrolling part time.time.

• Guam is one of last Pacific Guam is one of last Pacific strongholds for SCUBA-fisherman.strongholds for SCUBA-fisherman.

Storm Surge, Tsunamis, Storm Surge, Tsunamis, Sea Level Rise, and ErosionSea Level Rise, and Erosion

• Given the immediate need for policy Given the immediate need for policy and action pertaining to the military and action pertaining to the military build-up, pollution, rising energy build-up, pollution, rising energy costs, and struggles surrounding costs, and struggles surrounding fishing rights, although deemed fishing rights, although deemed interesting, Guam does not foresee interesting, Guam does not foresee an immediate need for modeling the an immediate need for modeling the loss of land.loss of land.

But...But...

When the sea level does rise, we When the sea level does rise, we should already have the tools should already have the tools necessary to exist in this changed necessary to exist in this changed environment.environment. i.e., salt tolerant taro i.e., salt tolerant taro

Data Collection – Data Collection – WHO?WHO?•US Navy- US Navy- Bathymetric, macro-currentBathymetric, macro-current

•UOGML- UOGML- Biological, ~current, uptakeBiological, ~current, uptake •DAWR- DAWR- Fish creel, endangered/invasive spp.Fish creel, endangered/invasive spp.

•UOG CNAS- UOG CNAS- Watershed, aqua-, agri-, Watershed, aqua-, agri-, outreachoutreach

•NPS- NPS- currentcurrent

•Guam EPA- Guam EPA- Water quality, etc.Water quality, etc.

•WERI- WERI- Hydrology, water chem., etc.Hydrology, water chem., etc.

•UOG/NWS- UOG/NWS- Communication/ModelingCommunication/Modeling

•NOAA-NOAA- Guam Coral Reef Atlas, Satellite Guam Coral Reef Atlas, Satellite ImageryImagery

Who wants to know?Who wants to know?

• UOGUOG

• GBBGBB

• DAWRDAWR

• EPAEPA

• NWSNWS

• BanksBanks

• GU Bureau of GU Bureau of Planning CZMPlanning CZM

• GU Visitor’s GU Visitor’s BureauBureau

• Guam Shell clubGuam Shell club• Guam Fishermen’s Guam Fishermen’s

Co-op.Co-op.• Guahan Napu Inc.Guahan Napu Inc.

• TASITASI

What do they want?What do they want?

• CapacityCapacity

• Circulation Models w/ incorporateCirculation Models w/ incorporate– Larval DispersalLarval Dispersal

– Pollution OutfallPollution Outfall

• Underwater surveys beyond SCUBA Underwater surveys beyond SCUBA depthsdepths

• Efforts to explore alternative energyEfforts to explore alternative energy– wave-energywave-energy

• Resource Management/Bioremediation Resource Management/Bioremediation TrainingTraining