Construction of five new reef-top fishing platforms has been underway since April 2002 and is now complete. Without platforms, fishermen would continue to struggle to cast against unpredictable wave action, rip tides, and dangerous currents, which could result in loss of life.

Historically, reef flat fishing has been a way of life for the local people. Many locals still fish Guam's shallow waters both for food and recreation. Every year, a number of drowning and near-drowning events take place due to the hazards associated with fishing. To provide a safer environment and to both increase and enhance hook and line sportfishing opportunities, fishing platforms have been proposed.

Traditionally, local fishermen have constructed platforms in shallow sandy areas. Typically, these platforms have been fabricated with tangan-tangan (Leucaena leucocephala) poles with a floor of split bamboo lashed to the frame. Frequently, the platforms have two levels to their construction. The first level gets the person fishing off the water to keep dry and provide a vantage point to view any fish swimming in the area. The second level provides a place for the person fishing to sit and can be used to store fishing equipment not being used. The placements of the platforms are usually near channels or rips to take advantage of fish migrating over the reef to feed during tidal fluxes.

The concept of fishing platforms can be transformed to areas with hard substrata to increase fishing opportunities. Presently, there are favorite inshore and reef fishing areas where people fish because of the shoreline topography or water circulation patterns. Fishing platforms should be located in areas where people cannot fish regularly due to the existing conditions, in areas that pose a safety problem for people who want to fish, or to make a temporary existing structure more permanent. Fishing platforms built to withstand the natural conditions of the area would allow use in areas that are typically unsafe.

The new structures are made of fiberglass and include handrails, ladders, benches, and gratings. They have also been designed to endure at least 170 mph wind load and forces generated by fifteen foot traveling waves.

The new platforms have been built by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Public Works and can be found along Ylig Bay, Togcha Bay, and Talofofo Bay.

Objectives

1. To plan, design and construct inshore reef flat and cliff-side fishing access facilities on Guam.
3. To provide safe inshore fishing locations on Guam.

Pumpout Facilities

Aquatic Section continued construction of pumpout facilities where boaters can dispose of their sewage. Facilities were completed at Gregorio Perez Merorial Marina (Hagatna) and at Agat Marina during 2001.

Merizo Pier

Repair of the Merizo pier and reconstruction of the boat ramp and parking facility were completed during FY99. The upgraded facility now provides the public with a new double lane boat ramp with cleated walkways, a new parking area with delineated parking stalls for both trailered and non-trailered vehicles, an access ramp connecting the parking lot to the lower portion of the facility, a designated washdown area able to accommodate two boats at one time, an upgraded electrical system and lighting on the pier, and improved bumpers on the pier. Exposure to the marine environment, vandalism, and an increase in use made it necessary to repair and upgrade the entire facility in order to continue to provide the public with safe access to boating and fishing resources.

The pier is used by recreational and subsistence fishermen who primarily do bottomfishing, castnetting, jigging, and spincasting. It is a popular fishing spot that is used at all hours by individuals, groups of individuals, and families. The location of the pier and its facilities make it an accessible, well-lit, and safe fishing area for children. The boat ramp provides access to boating and fishing resources in Cocos Lagoon, the southern coast of Guam, and several banks south of Guam. While bottomfishing, trolling, and spearfishing make up the majority of fishermen using the boat ramp, other fishing methods such as castnetting, gillnetting, night-light jigging, and the harvesting of seasonal juveniles using surround nets often use the ramp to access fishing areas by boat. In addition, small charter operations, recreational boaters, recreational SCUBA divers, and personal watercrafts use the ramp regularly.

More details in FY99 Annual report.
 

Masso Reservoir

This project, which has been on hold for a year, will resume in FY03 if funded.

The opportunities for freshwater fishing on Guam are limited. With the numerous fishing derbies sponsored by Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) at Fena Lake not open to the general public, people have wanted more areas available for freshwater fishing. The reservoir could serve as an excellent resource for aquatic education and providing an area to promote freshwater fishing. The project will enhance recreational sportfishing opportunities in Masso Reservoir through dredging of the reservoir, rehabilitation of the water control gate structure, construction of a cofferdam, and development of the area for public access and shoreline fishing.

The US Navy constructed the Masso Reservoir in the early 1940's for use as a potable water reservoir. It was abandoned in 1951 because siltation had made it unsuitable for water storage. In 1978, the Black Construction Company, working under contract to DAWR, cleared about two acres of the pond by removing the Phragmites grass. At that time, the retaining wall, spillway and sluice gate were repaired. The pond was stocked numerous times with red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis mossambica X O. nilotica), tucunare or "peacock bass" Chichla ocellaris and mosquito fish (Gambusia sp.) at a rate to keep a natural balance in the reservoir. Because of poaching, poisoning, and vandalism, the project was discontinued. In 1993 the restoration project was revived because the DAWR has increased it's enforcement staff and was then able to use fish restoration funds for "put and take" fishing. Because the projected cost of the project is approximately $1,300,000, it will be completed in phases. The biological survey has been completed and engineering plans drawn for the restoration. A cofferdam will be constructed first, due to environmental considerations for the endangered common moorhen using the reservoir. During the second phase, the reservoir will be dredged and the reservoir made fishable. The third phase will complete the project with a floating wharf and fishing platform, plus parking and restroom facilities.