UOG Sea Grant’s Guihan for Guahan initiative seeks more community engagement

The University of Guam’s (UOG) Sea Grant program, Guihan for Guahan, is taking a dynamic step forward by inviting increased participation from the local community.  

At the heart of this effort is an appeal to local fishers to contribute to the program’s data-gathering initiative.  

Guihan for Guahan, an innovative creel program, is seeking to enrich its dataset by encouraging local fishers to share photos of their catch, an essential component of their ongoing project. 

The primary objective of Guihan for Guahan is to identify various fish species and meticulously collect catch measurements directly from the local fishers. This ambitious project carries a long-term vision of studying and analyzing reef stock trends over the years, a valuable insight for marine conservation efforts. 

Leilani Sablan, a fishery biologist and research associate with UOG Sea Grant, said, “We are continually engaged in building and fostering connections with the fishing community to gather vital catch-and-effort data. Our approach emphasizes collaboration, enabling members of the fishing community to play the role of ‘citizen scientists.’ They seamlessly incorporate measuring habits into their fishing routines, contributing these essential snapshots to us for comprehensive and long-term monitoring.” 

This data collection endeavor aligns seamlessly with the “Healthy Coastal Ecosystem” strategic focus area of the UOG Sea Grant Omnibus. This overarching focus supports community engagement initiatives that promote the preservation and safeguarding of coastal ecosystems. Within this framework, UOG Sea Grant provides funding and guidance for applied research projects aimed at tackling challenges related to the conservation and management of local natural resources. 

Sablan further elaborated, “Recognizing the inadequacy of current fisheries outreach and educational materials on the island, we are in the process of crafting innovative and informative resources that encompass the latest in fisheries information for Guam. Once these materials are printed, we will embark on a distribution drive to ensure their widespread accessibility.” 

Guihan for Guahan extends its reach by collaborating with Dr. Brett Taylor of UOG Sea Grant in his rabbitfish sampling and processing efforts. The data collected from these endeavors contribute substantially to a life history study that Dr. Taylor is conducting. This information holds significant value for effective fisheries management strategies, according to Sablan. 

Looking ahead, Guihan for Guahan plans to open fish measuring stations situated around the island and to host workshops centered around fisheries-related themes.  

Sablan emphasized, “Our data collection efforts thrive when more individuals are involved. We are actively encouraging year-round participation from fishers. To become a part of this vital initiative, interested individuals can reach out to us at 671-482-2749.”