UOG CIS and Sea Grant donates fish in wake of Typhoon Mawar

As part of recovery efforts post super typhoon Mawar, the University of Guam Sea Grant’s aquaculture program stepped up to help its own community by donating fresh tilapia to the Mangilao Mayor’s Office on Friday, May 26. 

UOG Sea Grant harvested the fish stocks from its recirculating aquaculture system adjacent to the UOG Center for Island Sustainability nursery. The system serves as a model for non-profit and community-based organizations who are interested in starting their own backyard aquaculture systems.   

UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant director Austin Shelton said that while the aquaculture program was launched to increase food security on island, program efforts are also focused on providing urgent relief for communities affected by a typhoon or any disaster. 

“After a super typhoon, this is the time that the island needs food security the most. We are happy to get our tilapia fish out into the community to those who need it most, in this time of need” he said. 

After the team harvested and prepared the tilapia, UOG Sea Grant aquaculture specialist Dave Crisostomo said, “This is our way of trying to give back and make sure that we don’t waste what we have and provide some food to the people in the community,” Crisostomo said. 

“Food security and resiliency has come out to be the top priority now. So, all of these projects that we are doing for aquaculture and aquaponics are geared towards this goal,” Crisostomo added.  

After receiving the donation, Mangilao Vice Mayor Kevin Delgado said “Programs are devised to prepare the people for something greater — to provide food and sustainability — at times when it matters the most, especially, during a storm.  And to share the fruits of their labor makes the program very rewarding. We are honored that we are able to avail of the harvest.” 

“When we announced it, they (the community) were excited. Not because it was free but because it was something that they could provide for their family,” Delgado added.  

UOG Sea Grant started the aquaculture program to accelerate the local aquaculture industry by promoting practices that combine traditional knowledge with modern techniques.  

The long-term goal of the program is to contribute to the island’s food security and sustainability. The Office of the Governor and the Governor’s Aquaculture Task Force are strategic partners in achieving this goal. 

UOG Sea Grant’s aquaculture program promotes Goal 14 (Life Below Water) of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the ocean and marine resources for development. In addition, sustainable and long-term growth in the aquaculture industry could also contribute to achieving Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) of the UN SDGs.