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Guam Governor and Regulators Oppose NOAA coral critical habitat process

June 7, 2021 — Governor Leon Guerrero, the 36th Guam Legislature and the Guam Department of Agriculture (DOAG) submitted comments on May 26, 2021 in response to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed rule to designate coral critical habitat around all of Guam’s territorial waters.

The proposed rule included a map that illustrated all of Guam’s shores to 40 meters (131 feet), excluding Department of Defense managed shores and waters, that would be designated as coral critical habitat. To those who protect natural resources, this sounds like a good idea, until it is understood what the designation entails.

A coral critical habitat designation would mean that every federal agency, or federally funded project, conducting work in that area would be required to consult with NOAA NMFS to have the work approved. Any project in Guam’s nearshore waters (except DOD areas) from shore up to 131 feet would require another layer of permitting bureaucracy.

NMFS stated this would not impact cultural or recreational fishing. DOAG disagreed. In comments submitted, the agency stated work is in progress to reinstall replacement Fish Aggregating Devices (FADS) and Shallow Water Mooring Buoys (SWMS). This is to specifically support the fishing community. With a critical habitat designation, the agency would be required to add an additional permitting clearance requirement to the process which would delay any installation.

Read the full story at PNC Guam

‘Ocean is being closed off to us’: Fishers face threatened traditions due to firing range

May 17, 2021 — Restricting access to Ritidian will mean less food for the community and threaten the island’s customs, according to Guam’s fishers.

They await final approval of a surface danger zone in the area. 

“Fishing, it’s something you develop, you grow into. If you get rid of that, that’s part of our tradition that’s gone, 4,000 years of legacy that’s gone,” said Manny Duenas. “About 90% of the fishermen use Ritidian. The fishermen that fish out there, they feed their communities and their families. At the end of the day, it’s going to adversely affect us.”

Duenas, 63, has been president of the Guam Fishermen’s Cooperative Association since 1995. He’s been fishing most of his adult life, and was taught the trade by his uncle and others. He said the live-fire training range under construction at Ritidian, and its associated surface danger zone, diminishes fishing.

“We’ve always been known as a seafaring community. Now the ocean is being closed off to us.”

Read the full story at the Pacific Daily News

Fishers urged to register for $1M given for Guam fisheries

June 2, 2020 — Of $300 million set aside from the CARES Act for fisheries throughout the U.S. and territories, Guam will be receiving $1 million.

The Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources is in communication with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration working on guidelines for the money.

Once the guidelines are developed, the money will be given to a fisheries commission that will oversee the dispersal of the money to individual fishers on Guam, according to the agency. That commission will work with the Agriculture division to develop a plan for Guam and in anticipation of this, the division has already written a draft plan based on general guidelines already provided and will submit this for approval once the guidelines are ready.

Read the full story at KUAM

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