Coral reef condition: 2018 A status report for FAIR GUAM Coral reefs are important
Healthy coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, with high cultural and economic significance. They provide billions of dollars in food, jobs, recreational opportunities, coastal protection, and other important goods and services to people around the world. Guam's coral reefs are an integral part of the culture, livelihoods, and aesthetics of the island.
Food Fishing provides Guam residents with an accessible and healthy source of protein. Nearshore coral reef habitats are important to both subsistence and commercial fishing. Survey data indicate that 30% of residents fish or gather marine resources and 94% of residents who do fish, do so to feed themselves or their family (NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science 2018). Traditionally, a large catch was shared by many people, providing a much needed food resource. Traditional marine management was conducted at the village level.
Under modern management at the island-scale, enforcement of Harvey Ryan marine preserve regulations is an ongoing challenge on Guam.
Biodiversity Coral reef ecosystems are renowned for the stunning diversity of life they support. Although they occupy less than 1% of the seafloor globally, it is estimated that more than 25% of all marine species can be found on coral reefs (Burke et al. 2011). On Guam, there are over 5,000 species of coral reef organisms (Paulay 2003). Protecting this impressive biodiversity through management and conservation is important for sustaining healthy reefs and the human communities Burdick David dependent on them.
Tourism Coral reef-related tourism contributes $323 million per year to Guam's economy (Spalding et al. 2016). The tourism industry supports over 21,000 jobs annually, representing 34% of total employment (Guam Visitors Bureau 2018). Each year, Guam’s reefs host over 300,000 tourist snorkelers and 100,000 tourist scuba divers (QMark Research 2016a, 2016b). In addition, over 30% of visitors cite the marine environment as a top reason for visiting Josie Moyer Guam (Guam Visitors Bureau 2018).
Shoreline Protection The coral reefs found in the nearshore areas and lagoons of Guam provide many benefits to the island's shorelines. Coral reefs form a natural breakwater, protecting the shoreline by absorbing and reducing wave energy by 97% on average (Ferrario et al. 2014). This prevents erosion and beach loss, which can lead to economic hardship. Shoreline protection is important for Guam, which is subjected to typhoons that may increase in severity due to climate change. Raio Robert D.
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Coral reefs are declining globally, which has significant There are many threats to coral reefs. Here are a few ecological, social, cultural, and economic impacts on people actions YOU can take to help conserve coral reefs: and communities. Guam's coral reefs are threatened by overfishing, climate change, pollution, and overuse. Be responsible for the fishing Overfishing nets and other gear you use. Catch data over the last two decades on Guam show the gradual replacement of large-bodied species Only catch enough fish for you with smaller species across several fisheries sectors: and your family and obey all SCUBA, freedive, and bottom (Houk et al 2018). marine preserve regulations. Fish declines impact fishermen's profits, ecosystem health, and local diets. Improving Guam’s nearshore Do not drop your anchor fisheries is a difficult ongoing process that requires in reef areas, instead use trusted partnerships between scientists, fishermen, mooring buoys or sandy managers, and other stakeholders. bottom areas.
Climate Change Reduce energy use and your Ocean warming is the most pressing climate change carbon footprint. impact facing Guam’s reefs, which experienced coral bleaching in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Pick up your own trash and Bleaching-induced mortality has reduced coral cover carry away the trash that and decreased available habitat for fishes and other others have left behind. reef-associated species. Ocean acidification is a growing threat to Guam’s reefs. Local resource managers aim Support initiatives to to address climate change impacts by reducing local preserve and protect stressors and protecting resilient coral populations. coral reefs.
Land-based sources of pollution Plant native vegetation to Pollution threatens Guam's reefs, with much of the prevent sediment and pollutants pollution stemming from activities on land. Unsustainable from reaching the reef. coastal development, driven by population growth and increasing tourism, leads to runoff of pollutants and Don't burn trash. Don't burn for sediments to the reefs. This can smother corals and hunting as it causes erosion that impact fish and other organisms. Nutrient pollution may damages reefs. lead to outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns sea star, a coral predator that has had major impacts on Guam's reefs. Help protect mangroves and Misuse and overuse wetlands from filling and Guam’s reefs are threatened by recreational misuse and construction activities. overuse, and lack of regulations aiming to protect reefs from impacts such as vessel groundings. Reef users can Don’t stand on or touch live impact coral reef health by breaking corals, feeding fish, coral. Don't take pieces of harassing marine life, or introducing harmful chemicals corals home with you. into the water with sunscreen use. Guam needs stronger Educate yourself about laws and regulations to protect coral reefs from impacts coral reefs and the caused by recreational use and vessel groundings. creatures they support.
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Guam has established five marine preserves to Community involvement in marine resource protect, preserve, manage, and conserve aquatic life, management enables critical conversations about habitats, and marine communities and ecosystems. and actions around coral reef protection. The Guam The five preserves are Piti Bomb Holes, Achang Reef Community Coral Reef Monitoring Program was Flat, Pati Point, Sasa Bay, and Tumon Bay. launched in 2012 to create more opportunities for Guam residents to engage in coral reef management Guam’s network of marine preserves was created in through experiential learning about Guam’s coral 1997 to restore declining fish stocks. The preserves reefs and first-hand observation of the challenges have been enforced since 2001. Although protection of facing them. these areas is difficult due to insufficient enforcement of regulations, there are signs of improvement. Studies have confirmed that limiting fishing in these areas has had a positive effect on species density and diversity (The Territory of Guam and NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program 2010). The increased number, size, and diversity of fish within the protected areas has allowed residents and visitors to recognize the value of Guam's marine preserves.
Members monitoring in Piti. Photo: NOAA.
Local community members are trained to survey the condition of corals, algae, and macroinvertebrates, all of which are important indicators of habitat health. Trained program members complete monitoring surveys on reef flats around Guam. Community- collected data is shared at member meetings and with local reef managers for informed updates on Guam’s reef flat health at monitoring sites. The Guam Community Coral Reef Monitoring Program encourages community members to be stewards of Guam’s natural resources so that their cultural, social, and economic value can be preserved for the people of Guam. The size of reef fish has increased in and around the Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve. Photo: Dave Burdick.
100 fish s re hi her in preserves 90 80 70 60 50 40 Score (%) Score 30 20 10 0 Eastern Guam Western Guam Marine Preserves A group of volunteers preparing to go monitor the reef. Fish indicators scored better within the Marine Preserves. Photo: NOAA. GUAM CORAL REEFS ARE IN FAIR CONDITION guam Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States in the western Juvenile coral Pacific Ocean. It is the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana Adult coral
Coral reef Archipelago. The island, which is 210 square miles, is surrounded
cover Herbivory by fringing coral reefs. Approximately 162,000 people live on eastern guam (windward) Mortality
Diversity Guam, with 1.5 million tourists visiting annually. Guam Temperature was divided into three sub-regions, western (leeward), Eastern Guam extends from Ritidian AL Sharks stress COR S & Point in the north through Pati Point, LGAE eastern (windward), and marine preserves, to evaluate R A L S A O & to Pago Bay and Talofo Bay on the Other predators condition of four categories—corals & algae, fish, C LGAE R A eastern side, to Cocos Point in the E Sustainability climate, and human connections. Guam coral
T
H C south. Eastern Guam’s coral reefs Ocean A
S reefs are in fair condition overall. Benthic cover is
M I L
acidification I are in impaired condition. This region F
L very impacted, and herbivory levels are critical.
Reef I C 71 67 M H had the highest score for climate, a fish Fish are very impacted and overall fish S M igo A I fair score. Corals & algae were very C H * indicators are impaired. As is common in T F UMAN Diversity ON NS E impacted with an impaired score. Reef material NECTIO populated areas, reef fish populations are Tumon Bay growth Management Fish indicators were very impacted, Awareness depleted, as indicated by relatively small G in place Awareness leading to an impaired condition. sizes of fishery species and low overall fish biomass. Climate is also a factor R Support for actions management negatively affecting coral reefs. Overall T Apra Harbor
behaviors behaviors
Participation in pro-environment climate conditions are fair. Temperature
Pro-environmental agatna stress is having an impact on coral reefs. Guam marine preserves Human connections are good, which means R Guam has five marine preserves, communities support management actions and engage in behaviors that protect reef encompassing 11% of the island's A L S ecosystems. These conditions show that Guam's coral reefs are moderately impacted, Pago Bay O R & GA coast. They are Pati Point, Achang and overall conditions are fair. Guam's reefs are struggling against threats such as C A L E Reef Flat, Sasa Bay, Piti Bomb Holes, pollution, overfishing, and climate change.