Miller, R.

Guam marine biosecurity action plan

2014

University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability

72

"While Guam has a fairly diverse marine flora and fauna, this does not necessarily mean it is immune to marine invasions. We already have approximately 100 documented non-native marine species present in Guam. With the relocation of military troops from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, and the associated inwater construction activities, new pathways for invasive species will be opened. The goal of the Guam Marine Biosecurity Action Plan is to: minimize the harmful ecological, economic, social, cultural, and health impacts of marine invasive species through the prevention and management of their introduction, expansion, and dispersal into, within, and from Guam. To assist in this goal, the following major objectives have been identified: 1. Coordination and collaboration: improve the coordination and collaboration of people, resources, and efforts involved with invasive species 2. Prevention: minimize the introduction and spread of invasive species into and throughout the waters of Guam 3. Monitoring and early detection: ensure effective programs that allow for the early detection of new invasive species and the monitoring of existing invasive species 4. Response, eradication, and control/management: establish effective systems for rapid response, eradication, and control/management; evaluate and provide support to management plans and encourage the development of management techniques 5. Education and outreach: increase education and outreach efforts to ensure awareness throughout the island on marine invasive species threat and solutions 6. Research: increase research efforts on key invasive species, associated issues, and economic impacts to allow for more effective management 7. Funding : coordinate federal and local agency budgets to support marine invasive species priorities, develop partnerships, and seek opportunities to leverage funds within state and local agencies, local governments, industry, as well as other entities including non-governmental organizations 8. Policy: ensure local laws and regulations effectively promote the prevention and control of marine invasive species. This plan, as stated, will focus on marine species and marine invasives. With that said, there is great concern regarding invasive species in Guams freshwater ecosystems as well. It has been stated that approximately 75% of known fish and shrimp species in Guams freshwater ecosystems are non-native (Lindstrom 2014). Those species of most concern are what is being brought in, and what has been brought in, for aquaculture. Also species that are estuarine or brackish pose a threat to both marine and freshwater habitats if introduced as they are able to tolerate variable salinities. If they become established within marine waters that possess nave prey and open niches, their potential for invasion is great."

FY2011 CRCP Project 20645; Project Title: O095 Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grant Programs; Principal Investigator: Jenny Waddell ~ FY2011 CRCP grant NA11NOS4820007

NOS/Office for Coastal Management (OCM)

NA11NOS4820007