The US Territory of Guam Jason Biggs University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Background unincorporated US territorial possession (DOI) High Island, strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean Size: 541 km 2 EEZ: ~218,000 km 2 Population: 175,877 (Jan est.) GDP $2.5 billion; GDP per 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

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Major Environmental Issues U.S. Military buildup U.S. Military buildup Renewable energy Renewable energy Fishing vs. Marine Preserves Fishing vs. Marine Preserves Pollution – waste management Pollution – waste management

Military build-up infrastructure straininfrastructure strain habitat destructionhabitat destruction development indevelopment in anticipation anticipation

Pollution ½ of beaches were unsafe in 2001 ½ of beaches were unsafe in 2001 solid waste solid waste Tanguisson Tanguisson Cocos Lagoon Cocos Lagoon

Marine Preserves Are they working?

Yes & 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 time. 1.5 DAWR agents patrolling part time. Guam is one of last Pacific strongholds for SCUBA-fisherman. Guam is one of last Pacific strongholds for SCUBA-fisherman.

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

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

Data Collection – WHO? US Navy- Bathymetric, macro-current US Navy- Bathymetric, macro-current UOGML- Biological, ~current, uptake UOGML- Biological, ~current, uptake DAWR- Fish creel, endangered/invasive spp. DAWR- Fish creel, endangered/invasive spp. UOG CNAS- Watershed, aqua-, agri-, outreach UOG CNAS- Watershed, aqua-, agri-, outreach NPS- current NPS- current Guam EPA- Water quality, etc. Guam EPA- Water quality, etc. WERI- Hydrology, water chem., etc. WERI- Hydrology, water chem., etc. UOG/NWS- Communication/Modeling UOG/NWS- Communication/Modeling NOAA- Guam Coral Reef Atlas, Satellite Imagery NOAA- Guam Coral Reef Atlas, Satellite Imagery

Who wants to know? UOG UOG GBB GBB DAWR DAWR EPA EPA NWS NWS Banks Banks GU Bureau of Planning CZM GU Bureau of Planning CZM GU Visitor’s Bureau GU Visitor’s Bureau Guam Shell club Guam Shell club Guam Fishermen’s Co- op. Guam Fishermen’s Co- op. Guahan Napu Inc. Guahan Napu Inc. TASI TASI

What do they want? Capacity Capacity Circulation Models w/ incorporate Circulation Models w/ incorporate –Larval Dispersal –Pollution Outfall Underwater surveys beyond SCUBA depths Underwater surveys beyond SCUBA depths Efforts to explore alternative energy Efforts to explore alternative energy –wave-energy Resource Management/Bioremediation Training Resource Management/Bioremediation Training