MARIANA ISLANDS RANGE COMPLEX ... - Guam Legislature

MARIANA ISLANDS RANGE COMPLEX FEIS/OEIS MAY 2010
3.16.2.6.3 Galvez and Santa Rosa Banks
The Galvez Bank is located outside of W-517 and Santa Rosa Bank is located on the fringe of W-517 (see
Figure 2-1). At the Galvez and Santa Rosa Banks, bottomfish are caught by a combination of recreational
vessels (25 feet) (Moffit et al. 2007). Galvez Bank is fished
most heavily as it is closest to shore, while Santa Rosa Bank is fished only during good weather
conditions. In 2005, personnel from the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands
Fisheries Council (PIFC), and NMFS conducted coral reef assessments and monitoring at these two
banks, as part of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) (PIFC Cruise Report CR-06-004
2005). During the cruise survey, the Santa Rosa Bank was characterized as low habitat relief with algal
covered hard substrate predominating. Fish species diversity and abundance were also low at the bank.
Large bottomfish were not common but were mostly spotcheek emperor (Lethrinus rubropercularis).
Santa Rosa Reef was characterized by low hard coral cover. Soft corals were also generally uncommon,
and the dominant genera at Santa Rosa included Favia, Montastrea, Pocillopora, and Porites, with most
colonies measuring less than 20 cm in diameter.
Galvez Bank was characterized by steep drop-offs and uneven topography. Very few bottomfish were
observed during the 2005 cruise survey (PIFC Cruise Report CR-06-004 2005). Species of bottomfish
were primarily kalekale (Pristipomoides sieboldii) and opakapaka (P. filamentosus). Several gindai (P.
zonatus) and dog-tooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) were also seen. The most productive areas observed
during the cruise survey included areas of high habitat quality typically on slopes from 40 to 70 degrees
and prevalence of hard bottom substrates.
3.16.2.7 Guam Marine Preserves
Guam has five marine preserves; Pati Point, Tumon Bay, Piti Bomb Holes, Sasa Bay, and the Achang
Reef Flat Preserves. Public Law 24-21 was implemented to create the preserves and make changes to
Guam’s fishing regulations in an effort to preserve the fisheries. Within the preserves, the taking of
aquatic animals is restricted. All types of fishing, shell collecting, use of gaffs, and the removal of sand
and rocks are prohibited unless specifically authorized. Limited inshore fishing is allowed within the Pati
Point and Tumon Bay Preserves. Limited offshore fishing is also allowed in all the preserves (See Figure
3.12-1).
3.16.3 Mitigation Measures and Standard Operating Procedures
NOTMARs provide advance notice to recreational boaters and other users, informing them when the
military will be operating in a specific area, and allowing them to plan their own activities accordingly.
Schedules are updated when changes occur up until the date of the operation. If training activities are
cancelled at any time, this information is posted and the area is again identified as clear for public use.
NOTMARs advise the public, fishermen, and divers in advance of ongoing military activities that may
temporarily relocate civilian/recreational activities. NOTAMs are available on the internet at
https://www.notams.jcs.mil and NOTMARs can be found on the internet at
www.nga.mil/portal/site/maritime. In addition to NOTMARs and NOTAMs, the military is developing an
extensive system of communication through NOAA broadcasts, radio, television, newspaper, and
community notification systems to ensure the public is aware of training events, training times, and
training locations. The principal purpose of Department of Defense (DoD) lands and waters is to support
mission-related activities. It is the policy of the DoD to make those lands available to the public for
educational or recreational use of natural and cultural resources when such access is compatible with
military mission activities, ecosystem sustainability, and other considerations such as safety, security, and
fiscal soundness (Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan [INRMP] 2001).
REGIONAL ECONOMY 3.16-11