05.24.13 GUAM: The Humåtak Project

May 24, 2013, Guam, posted by Roxanna Miller

Back in November 2012 the Micronesia Challenge posted a short article about the Humåtak Project. This project is a community effort working to revive Guam’s watersheds, coral reefs, and fisheries using watershed restoration activities.  The project began in 2002 after local fisherman noticed a decline  in fish catch, which they attributed to excessive sedimentation on the reef.  The goals of the project are to: 1) build awareness of environmental issues through educational and community outreach, 2) treat sources of sedimentation by implementing erosion control practices, and 3) improve the science of mitigating for impacts to coral reefs and other aquatic resources by monitoring changes in sedimentation rates and coral reef health.

To read rest of entry, click here.

05.06 PALAU: PICRC Releases Annual Report

PICRC's 2012 Annual Report has been released.  Read press release here.

04.23 ARTICLE OF INTEREST: Integrating Climate and Ocean Change into Conservation Planning




Elizabeth McLeod, Alison Green, Edward Game, Kenneth Anthony, Joshua Cinner, Scott F. Heron, Joanie Kleypas, Catherine E. Lovelock, John M. Pandolfi, Robert L. Pressey, Rodney Salm, Steve Schill & Colin Woodroffe (2012): Integrating Climate and Ocean Change Vulnerability into Conservation Planning, Coastal Management, 40:6, 651-672

Read article here.

04.05.13 GUAM: Earth Month events continue


Event: Healthy Guam. Healthy You. Friday, April 5, 2013.

Top photo: Tammy Jo Anderson Taft gathered the islands high school students to learn about sustainability at the University of Guam.

Bottom photo: Mark Cruz and the Guam Extention Interns Team lead a fantastic plant propagation workshop at House 2, UOG.

Photos: Bart Lawrence

04.04.13 PALAU: PICRC publishes paper on collaborative research with Bureau of Arts & Culture

Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) researcher Shirley Koshiba, together with fellow PICRC researchers as well as researchers from Belau National Museum, the United Nations Joint Presence, The Nature Conservancy, Palau, and PICRC, published a paper about a study that quantified and described the sediment trapping abilities of traditional taro fields, mesei and dechel. The paper, entitled Palau’s taro fields and mangroves protect the coral reefs by trapping eroded find sediment, appears in the February issue of the journal Wetlands Ecology and Management.

The study’s goals were:
1. Quantify the sediment trapping rates for different types of taro fields.
2. Determine the sediment trapping efficiency of taro fields.

Previous research identified the sediment trapping ability of Palau’s mangroves. This project sought to find out whether taro field farming, which diverts river water through taro fields, also helps to keep sediment out of Palau’s bays. The research team placed forty-four sediment traps in three taro fields in Babeldaob (two in Aimeliik and one in Airai) to measure how much sediment exits the taro field and re-enters rivers. The area surrounding the sites differed by slope, vegetation, erosion and development.

The study found that Palau’s taro fields trap approximately90% of riverine sediments. River water diverted into the fields slows as it spreads out over the field. Grasses within the fields further slow the water. As such, fine, suspended sediments have time to settle to the bottom and deposit into the field, and cleaner water returns to the river at the irrigation system’s exit and out to Palau’s coral reefs. Increased sediment runoff onto coral reefs negatively affects reef health—it can smother reef corals and encourage algae growth. Understanding the tools that can help keep sediments out of the ocean leads to better marine conservation management and reef recovery planning. The study is important locally, regionally, and internationally, because it describes and quantifies sustainable traditional farming methods that can help protect against coral reef degradation.

This paper is the first research collaboration between the Bureau of Arts and Culture and PICRC. It is also the first paper that Shirley Koshiba has submitted for publication. Shirley, in her time with PICRC, has developed into a proficient researcher. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Hawaii, Manoa and was initially hired as an Office Assistant at PICRC. However, her strong work ethic and analytical skills came to the attention of PICRC CEO Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, who recommended that she apply for an open Researcher position. PICRC provided the proper training and support for the researcher position and since then, she both monitors in the field and does socio-economic research for PICRC. Her professional success reflects PICRC’s emphasis on employee development.

The paper can be found at http://link.springer.com/article/ 10.1007/

04.02.13 GUAM Mantas

Have you ever had the privilege of swimming with a manta ray?


They are some of the most beautiful, majestic creatures I have ever encountered (in my humble opinion). Manta rays (Manta birostris or Manta alfredi) are filter feeders from the eagle ray family Mobulidae. They are usually found in the open ocean, though Manta alfredi can be commonly found along the coast. Since Guam is pretty much all coast, you have a pretty good chance of seeing one during certain times of the year. This time of year (late February to early May) is actually a really good time to see them on Guam around dawn or dusk. Just the possibility of seeing ONE is enough of an impetus to get me up in the morning! Living on Guam,I’ve had the opportunity to see these creatures up close on several occasions over the past couple years.

On Guam, not much is known about our resident population of manta rays, so Julie Hartup, a graduate student at the University of Guam Marine Lab, has started studying them, finding out where they commonly aggregate, and what they like to feed on. She just recently published an article in the journal Coral Reefs describing feeding habits, which had previously been undocumented, of Manta alfredi on Guam (article available here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-013-1022-4/fulltext.html). Julie is not only making great strides in research, but is also actively engaged with manta conservation. She is the project leader in the Marianas for a group called Manta Trust (http://www.mantatrust.org/), an organization devoted to the conservation of manta rays and their habitat through science and research while also providing education to the public and community stakeholders.Through their actions, as well as the actions of many other scientists, educators and conservationists, both species of mantas were recently approved for protection under Appendix II of CITES. This means there is now regulation to the trade of these species, which is a vital step towards their conservation.


I could go on and on about manta rays, but I think showing you some pictures from my recent encounters just may be enough to make you want to know more.

Roxanne Myers-Miller is a marine biologist at Guam Coastal Management Program.  

03.29.13 RMI Micronesians in Island Conservation hold annual retreat in RMI March 18-22, 2013


Participants at this years MIC Retreat in Majuro, RMI
with Minister Tony DeBrum
    RMI. The Micronesians in Island Conservation (MIC) Peer-learning Network met for their annual retreat on Majuro in the Marshall Islands.  The group was welcomed with inspiring words by the Honorable Minister in Assistance Tony DeBrum and then spent 4 days learning about successes and challenges from each of the islands, participated in leadership development sessions, endorsed their strategic plan, and discussed the latest updates on Micronesia Challenge sustainable finance, measures and communications, Rare campaigns, and enforcement training around the region.  Local partners in the Marshall Islands also presented on their recent success in enforcing their nationwide shark sanctuary.  
    The group was hosted by His Excellency President Christopher J. Loeak at an evening reception at the Marshall Islands Resort and visited a "Mule", or native Ratak Imperial pigeon, recovery project on the island of Bikirin. Click here for more.