DEVELOPMENT OF AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY IN GUAM POST COVID

The purpose of this project is to retain the current aquaculture extension associate position at the Guam Sea Grant program.  The extension associate’s main objectives have been to encourage aquaculture practices that combine traditional knowledge with recent advances and techniques for long-term sustainability

With a supportive Governor , the aquaculture industry has moved forward in a positive manner, bringing in more members of the community as small scale producers for subsistence and educational units.  Accomplishments include:

• Participation in the Indigenous Aquaculture Project as the Guam Sea Grants representative.
• Participation in the Regional Food Business Center project as the Guam aquaculture specialist. 
• Headed up project in “On-Farm Tilapia Hatchery Production” to aid farmers in obtaining tilapia fry for stocking their ponds or tanks.
• Served as co-PI on Hatch project to evaluate 3 production strategies in DWC Aquaponics using tilapia and leaf lettuce as the primary crops.
• Headed up project “Community Backyard Aquaponics Systems (C-BAS) to introduce the concept of aquaponics to the community and design and provide a tested aquaponic system to 120 families, non-profit groups and schools.  Participants attended a 20 hour training workshop, where they learned about aquaponic production,  water quality for fish and plants, bioreactors, tilapia biology and reproduction, growth and feeding.  Over 95 persons have completed the 20 hour training program.  Two additional workshops on installation of the C-BAS systems were conducted with 25 total participants.  Twenty systems have been installed and are in operation.  Tanks and equipment for an additional 100 system have recently arrived, awaiting installations.  Participants that have attended the “installation” workshops will be allowed to pick up their system equipment and materials and install the system on their own. 
• Workforce Development - Thus far 5 persons have been hired and spent at least 1 year working on the projects, gaining valuable experience in aquaponics.  Additional persons are expected in internship programs and projects by graduate and undergraduate students.
• Industry activities have included:
• Appointment on the Governors Aquaculture Task Force and selection as Chairman of the Task Force.
• Task Force recommendation to Governor to create an “Aquaculture Department” within the Government of Guam.  The Governor opted to task the Guam Department if Agriculture (DoAg) to create a “Division of Aquaculture” within Guam DoAg.
• Creation of the Guam Aquaculture Advisory Board, to help guide the Division of Aquaculture.
• Began efforts to organize a Guam Aquaculture Cooperative Association, a non-profit association of growers and supporters of the aquaculture industry in Guam. Expected to be registered by March 2026.