12.31.12 from Saving our Micronesia Community Blog

December 31, 2012, Guam, posted by Roxanna Miller

Adios 2012!

This year has sure flown by! And in that time we’ve been able to get a lot of work done with the monitoring program. Between acquiring all the equipment needed for fieldwork (SCUBA tanks, boat charter, new dive gear, and underwater camera equipment) and the survey training/calibration exercises, it was a couple of months before the fieldwork could start in July.

Guam volunteers clean up reef.  Photo Dave Burdick
But once all the office work was done, we were more than ready to get in the water! In addition to setting up a new monitoring site in Piti Bay, we were able to collect a second year of benthic data from all of Tumon’s stations and also from all permanent stations at East Agana Bay. Since we now have two years of data from Tumon and East Agana Bay, we can make comparisons between these years to determine the latest status and trends of the health of these reef areas. And with the addition of data from subsequent years, we will have an even better understanding of the processes acting on and affecting Guam’s reefs.

Read full post here.

12.09.12 GUAM Pig Derby & Pork in the Park II a Success

Cook-Off Winner, Joe Blas, accepts his $500 cash prize.
The 2nd Pork in the Park Cook-off was held December 9, 2012, at Ypao Beach Park, Tumon, Guam. Without a doubt it was an amazing day filled with lots of people, good food, beautiful weather and entertainment. Over $3,000 in cash prizes were given to hunters and chefs who competed in both the hunting derby on December 1 & 2, and today's cook-off. Congratulations to the organizers at Guam Coastal Management Program and Guam Dept. of Agriculture, and sponsors Micronesian Image Institute, Guam Visitors Bureau, GLISPA, PCR Environmental, Harper Veterinary Clinic, and Guam Northern Soil & Water District, to name a few. This was a terrific event that will is sure to grow in years to come.

For album of photos at the event, please visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.541345122560352.132821.399198963441636&type=1&l=6359c48a0b.

11.27.2012 MARSHALL ISLANDS: MC Steering Committee meets in Majuro.

11.26.2012 GUAM: 2nd Pig Hunting Derby & Pork in the Park Cook-Off December 1, 2 & 9


11.16.12 GUAM: Humatak Project Update

Over 160 students and community members attended a Humåtak Watershed Adventure on November 3. Participants hiked the upper La Sa Fu’a River, and trekked down to Fouha Bay in Umatac, Guam. During the adventure, several presenters spoke about cultural relationships to natural resources, watershed connections, watershed threats, and community resilience in the face of environmental degradation. The adventure was hosted by the Humåtak Project in collaboration with the Guam Coastal Management Program, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Guam Environmental Education Committee, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 “LIKE” Humåtak Project on FB - www.facebook.com/humatakproject.

Participants of a Humåtak Watershed Adventure enjoying their time at Fouha Bay
in Umatac, Guam

11.05.12 GUAM: Monitoring, and Weather, and Presentations...OH MY!

November 5, 2012, Guam, by Roxanna Miller

Well, seeing as how it has been five months since you’ve heard anything about the monitoring program, I thought it would be a good idea to give you an update.
Piti Monitoring Site
The long-term monitoring began at the end of July this year, and it was an exciting start since it began with the establishment of monitoring stations in Piti Bay, a new monitoring site. The monitoring team surveyed 20 stations, 10 of which were established as permanent monitoring stations and will be surveyed in subsequent years. There were many remarkable critters found in Piti Bay, the most exciting of which was a spotted eagle ray which swam right through one of our monitoring stations while we were surveying! There were also a variety of nudibranchs, more than a couple octopuses, and a few LARGE moray eels which had a knack for being seen only when I would be way too close for comfort! Needless to say, Piti kept the monitoring team busy for the months of July and August.

To read the rest of Roxanna's post, click here.

11.01.12 GUAM Second Pig Derby & Cook-Off Announced

:: GUAM
Pig Derby & Pork in the Park Cook-Off II to be held December 1, 2 & 9, 2012. 
       After a successful first event in April of this year, the Guam Coastal Management Program and Guam Department of Agriculture are organizing a second Pig Derby and Cook-Off to be held in December.
    "The April event was so successful, with over 70 hunters participating that we decided to organize a second one this year. In addition, over 300 people attended the first Cook-Off where amazing recipes were created and enjoyed by the judges and the public," says coordinator Christine Camacho of GCMP.

 Official Guam Pig Derby Logo

   The goal of the derby and the cook-off is to raise awareness of the overpopulation of the wild boar, known as the bakalu in Chamorro, which destroys native forest habitats. This then results in the washing of topsoil into the rivers and onto the nearshore marine environment. It also aims to create a regular place for wild boar in the local BBQ repertoire to encourage a regular demand for the balaku.
    "We hope that by moving it to December we can create a kick-off event for the holiday season that hunters and lovers of BBQ can enjoy in the years to come," says Christine.  "Based on the many requests we've had from hunters to hold another derby, we're confident this second event will be even better and more effective at generating awareness."
    For more information, contact Christine at christine.camacho@bsp.guam.gov.

10.16.12 PALAU Bleaching study published


Research by Palau International Coral Reef Center identifies climate-change refugia

A recent study published in the scientific journal, Ecology and Evolution, by researchers from Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and their colleagues, sheds new light on how bleaching events affect coral reefs, and more importantly, how some areas in Palau appear to be naturally resistant to increased sea surface temperature.  The study entitled, “Climate-changerefugia in the sheltered bays of Palau: analog of future reefs” describes the bleaching event during the summer of 2010, when increasing temperatures around the waters of Palau were causing corals to bleach throughout the archipelago.  This study involved surveying 80 sites throughout the main Palauan Islands, identifying and measuring over 34,000 coral colonies, and assessing whether they underwent bleaching.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing coral reefs in the region. Increased sea surface temperatures, associated with climate change, are expected to have serious effects on coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean.  As most marine organisms live within a narrow temperature range, even a short-term increase in temperature can have a dramatic impact on coral survival.  In the past two decades, short-term extreme high temperatures contributed to a decline of corals throughout the tropics.  With the continuing rise in atmospheric CO2, global warming leading to increased water temperatures is anticipated to get worse, which will result in greater frequency and severity of coral bleaching, a condition under which corals when stressed expel their symbiotic algae and turn white, depriving the corals of their main source of nutrients.  

The remarkable result from this research was the discovery that reefs around bays did not bleach as much as other reef habitats in Palau.  The results of the study provide important lessons for marine resource management across Micronesia.  First, there is hope for the survival of some reef areas that seem naturally resistant to higher sea surface temperatures, such as the coral reefs in the bay areas of Palau, and these resistant areas can be incorporated into the design of protected areas networks to help enhance sites that are not as resistant.  However, higher water temperatures are not the only threat to coral reefs, especially those reefs around bay areas, which, since they are in close proximity to land, are more vulnerable to land-use change than patch and outer reefs.  Therefore, protecting near-shore reefs from local disturbances may help buffer the coral reefs across the region against climate-change induced disturbances.

For more information, contact Carol Emaurois at the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Email: cemaurois@picrc.org

10.01.12 KOSRAE Melam Community tackles Climate Change

:: KOSRAE
Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization facilitates the Malem Community's MPA Management Plan.  Story by Marston Luckymis, KCSO
     
    KCSO, with the members of the Kosrae Climate Change team, selected the Malem community as a target group to incorporate the climate change aspect into consideration for their management plan, since this community is at the planning stage of developing their Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Plan. The August 20, 2012, workshop was attended by approximately 28 people (community members and KCC).
    The members from the community represented different groups in the community including Church groups, Women’s group, Malem Youth Council, Senior Citizens, Office of the Mayor and Council. The workshop identified the natural resource target, climate threats, and non-climate threats through break-out groups. There were three different groups during the workshop. The groups also did an exercise that shows how important the natural resources are, the level of dependency on the natural resources, its current status, trend, management agencies and activities implemented and the level of effectiveness to the natural resources.
    The participants were able to discuss some of the potential adaptation strategies that would help to minimize both climate and non-climate threats identified during the workshop. Overall, the training program went well. The plan itself will be drafted to include all the information, issues, and strategies discussed during the workshop.
    Follow-up meetings were held August 27, September 17, and September 27, 2012.

09.28.12 Palau Receives Future Policy Award

Story from World Future Council
New York, 26 September 2012.

The Republic of Palau has been announced as the winner of the Future Policy Award 2012. Palau received the Award in recognition of two outstanding marine policies, Palau’s Protected Areas Network Act, initiated in 2003, and its Shark Haven Act from 2009. The two Silver Awards were bestowed on the Philippines and Namibia for the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act (2010) and Namibia’s Marine Resources Act (2000). According to the international jury the three winning policies contribute most effectively to the sustainable management of the world’s oceans and coasts for the benefit of current and future generations. The winners were announced during a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 26 September 2012.

Palau’s Protected Areas Network Act, initiated in 2003 Palau’s Protected Areas Network Act establishes the framework for a network of marine and terrestrial protected areas ensuring a long-term sustainable use of natural resources. The Act involves local communities by enabling them to undertake a scientific and social assessment of their local environment and supports traditional systems of natural resource management, which have a long history in Palau. To date, 35 protected areas have been designated, including reefs, lagoons, mangroves and a sardine sanctuary. Some sites permit sustainable harvest of fish and other natural resources, whilst others have been declared no-take zones. Palau seeks to protect 30 per cent of its near-shore marine environment and 20 per cent of its terrestrial environment by 2020.

In 2009, Palau passed its  Shark Haven Act. An estimated 73 million sharks are hunted every year and in addition to the loss of these magnificent creatures, diminishing populations have serious ecological effects. Palau has taken a global lead in shark protection by declaring its entire territorial waters a sanctuary for all shark species. Fishing for sharks has been banned and any sharks caught in the nets of other fisheries have to be released unharmed, and there are substantial fines for violators. Palau has also recognised the economic benefits of protecting sharks rather than hunting them: the shark diving industry contributes US$ 1.2 million in salaries to local communities and generates US$ 1.5 million in taxes for the government annually. Other countries, including Honduras, the Maldives and the Bahamas have followed the example of Palau and banned shark fishing in their national waters.

09.18.12 CHUUK: A Young Champion blogs.

September 18, 2012, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia

On my last blog I had spoken about the things we notice yet don't really do something about them. I told of the Pacific International Incorporated (PII) pouring sewage into our waters. Just last week, while walking down the road from work I saw yet again the same thing happening near the Transco area. What is going on? Where are our leaders? and when will this continued damage finally cease?


I can still remember the first time I came to Chuuk. Getting ready to head to our islands, I would sit on our boat and watch the variety of fish and other life moving about in the water. Today, getting on a boat from this area of the water all I see when I take a look is murky waters without the existing life that used to be so ever present.

Looking at what was going on  last week, I wonder, are our leaders really going to let this onslaught to one of our main source of livelihood continue? It's taken PII more than three years since they've been here and still there is no real progress made to our roads, instead there's more and more damages going on, both on land and sea. So once again I ask, are we really going to let this continue? What are our leaders doing? An ocean where we once saw so many different species swimming about is now filled with mud, and has now turned from being blue and clear to brown and murky, where will we be getting fish to eat? A mountain where birds lived, a variety of different plant species existed, and also a popular hiking spot is now gone. The trees are gone, the birds have flown somewhere, and it is now a dangerous place to go because of landslides, what should we do about this? Let us stand together Chuuk! Let's now forget about what we want and concentrate on what we need in order to survive and to keep the generation to come safe and out of danger!


/s/ Kris in Chuuk

09.15.12 RMI A Young Champion Blogs.

September 12, 2012, Majuro, Marshall Islands

Certified Diver!  To kick up a notch on my dedication to the ocean I went ahead and got trained as a basic open water diver. I had an excellent time with the Raycrew divers. They taught me everything I needed to learn underwater. It was a two day adventure and was well worth my time. On the first day we did basic underwater procedures such as masks and full gears taken off and putting back on underwater. And on the second day we ventured to the deeper parts of the lagoon; we found amazing healthy corals with diverse ecosystems, I couldn't be more blessed. After the diving trainings we were also required to take a written exam on all that was needed to know on basic underwater diving. Now, happily living as a basic underwater diver. :)






/s/ Broderick

09.01.12 GUAM Community Coral Reef Monitoring Underway

:: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Guam Establishes Community Coral Reef Monitoring Program from Sept 2012 Newsletter
    The Guam Community Coral Reef Monitoring Program officially started in July with a training event in the village of Piti. Participants gathered at the Santos Memorial Park to
learn about Guam’s coral reefs and techniques for monitoring coral reef health.
    “This program is designed to fill a critical gap in Guam’s coral reef management activities,” says Valerie Brown, a Fishery Biologist with the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Island Regional Office, “Residents have frequently asked to be more involved, but we didn’t have any hands-on programs for the community. Now we do.”
    Brown and community coordinator, Marybelle Quinata, train Guam residents in coral reef monitoring techniques for benthic cover and macroinvertebrates. This includes coral, algae, giant clams, sea cucumbers, starfish, and sea urchins. As the program evolves, fish surveys will be added. Once individuals complete the training, they may then assist in coral reef surveys on Guam’s reef flats.  

Brown teaches monitoring program participants how to identify common marine 
algae during the Piti training event held on July 25, 2012.

    The overall goal is to help residents get involved with coral reef management. The data will be shared with the community so that they can see how the reefs are doing. “Government agencies collect a lot of data, but there are limits to what these agencies can accomplish. With the community involved we can look at more sites and residents can learn about the reefs in their own village.” says Brown.
    The project started in Piti to monitor the effects of restoration efforts in the Masso Watershed, one of Guam’s Priority Watersheds. But the program is not limited to just
one site, interested groups are invited to adopt a site in their village and the program will help them. “We’re really interested in getting the youth and families involved,” says Quinata, “It’s the youth that will really see the impacts to the reefs and fisheries if we don’t take care of these resources now.”
    If you or your group are interested in joining this effort, please contact either Val Brown or Marybelle Quinata at 671-646-1904 or marybelle.quinata@noaa.gov for more information. Keep an eye out for a facebook page in the near future.

08.12.12 RMI's Young Champion blogs about this year's World Oceans Day events in the Marshalls

Three years in a row the Marshall Islands young environmentalists have been commited on celebrating world oceans day. This year we took a much more serious action and called in the whole island. The fresh youth organization Jo-Jikum took initiative and organized an all community event that includes trash pick up around the coast line and an underwater clean up just several yards away from the shoreline.

After a month of planning we rocked and rolled.

And this is our conclusion

FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETEEN BAGS!!! after several hours of trash pick up. It was unbelievable but it was a FACT. after this clean up, we were motivated to plan more to show our islands the destruction they are causing without noticing. 

****To view more awesome photos of this day please simply click the link below :) ENJOY :) http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151802964350234.857254.638050233&type=3

08.07.12 YAP: A Young Champion bids farewell.

In the time that I have been the Young Champions Intern for Yap State, I have learned so much from my supervisors, partners, as well as experts and community activists in conservation. I have met so many different people from their various respected fields and the knowledge and experience that they’ve shared with me is something that I will not forget. It has guided and shaped my personal views of the world around me and how I interact with it. The works that I have been involved with has built up my capacity and understanding in conservation. I feel confident in the steps I am to take; the career path that I am set upon because of the experience and knowledge this internship has afforded me.

Sharing group work during Community Action Plan workshop
It has been a great run as the Young Champions Intern for Yap State. The time has come for me to pass on the challenge to the next successor. I hope for another willing and passionate candidate to continue the stand in our home State of Yap – Take the Challenge! The Micronesia Challenge and make it our own. The Young Champions Internship is a great opportunity. The experience you take away from the internship is so valuable, from all the interactions with various groups, exposure to different thinking, and networking with others. I encourage all interested candidates to apply and help build for a brighter, healthier, sustainable happy future, for us and the many generations to come. With our brothers and sisters in Micronesia, let us stand and not falter as we fight for conservation in our region and sustainability of our natural resources. I hope that I have served the Yapese people well in my awareness campaign in Yap State. I have fought the good fight and I look to a new successor to take up the Challenge.

07.27.12 RMI: A Young Champion blogs about Climate Change

On the month of May, a group of dedicated young Environmentalists joined together and attended a Climate Change workshop hosted by the 350 organization.

The 350.org is an organization created to focus on a world wide threat, Climate Change.   Aaron Packard and Linda Salvador members of the 350 organization came in to discuss and spread awareness on the organization and also to help us create and plan as young leaders an Eco-Friendly future for our islands.

Working as a team, we talked about how we could contribute to cutting down on our Carbon emissions by changing our lifestyles such as using more transportation that does not require fuel (bicycles) and using more solar and/or wind technology to power up our islands. They had also discussed methods of futuristic planning, Broadening our heads to realize what we are really putting us up for, and as young leaders we took the Challenge.
On our few days of critical thinking and collaborative heads, our conference was a success. 
While all of this was done, we then manage to join in on a movement called "Connecting the dots". Many other countries joined hands on this day to send out a message about our real problem Climate Change.
I've talked to many people about climate change, some knew about it, some did not but the people who did know about it said that they've seen it happen, and it is very much an unpleasant feeling for most of us who live on low laying islands only inches above the water.
Sunrise photo, 350 Marshall Islands Crew with Reverend starting our day with a prayer

07.14.12 YAP: A Young Champion blogs about Yap's Shark Petition

Yap Games 2012 was a greatly anticipated event that took place at the Yap States Sports complex from June 17 to June 30. Some municipalities organized themselves and their youth to participate in the many sports activities and trained well before the anticipated date to get their athletes into shape for the event. This was the second year the Yap Games has been hosted. It was a great event that brought the youth and everyone together to enjoy the sports event and join together in camaraderie, cheering the athletes on to victory. 

To take advantage of the event, an MC awareness booth was setup to provide free water servings to the athletes as well as spectators and passersby. At the tent, information on natural resource management was shared and support for the Micronesia Regional Shark Sanctuary was solicited. Shark sanctuary petitions including informational pamphlets and fact sheets were circulated to the attending crowds at the games. This petition acknowledged each signing individual’s agreement of the importance of sharks in Marine ecosystems, recognized certain threats to the sharks, and agree that legislative actions should be taken to protect shark population within the FSM region. Thanks to the MC booth team the petitions were signed by a good amount of people as well as lots of positive feedback. The movement of “good resource management” through conservation is just beginning.


07.12.2012 GUAM: Meet the Umatac Merizo Coral Reef Ambassadors

New! Episode 5 of Into the Islands lands today, July 3, 2012.

Invasive terrestrial species, soil loss and climate change are part of this exciting episode that takes us to Saipan, Guam, Yap, Palau's southwestern islands and Pohnpei.  Watch entire episode here.


The Gorongs of Kaday Village, Yap.

KOSRAE: Communications Planning Workshop ends successfully on Friday, June 22, 2012.

"It was a long week with in-depth discussions about how to best communicate the Micronesia Challenge in Kosrae, but it was worth it," says Marston Luckymis, Marine Monitoring Manager at KCSO, and local MC Communications Focal Point.  For 4 days beginning June 19, the communications team brainstormed and formulated a plan that was scrutinized and agreed upon on June 22.  To celebrate, the Kosrae Women's Club catered a lunch that included reef fish, lobster, breadfruit and many examples of the famous baked goods of Kosrae.

"We wish to thank Micronesian Image Institute and TNC for their support in facilitating this workshop," says Andy George, director of KCSO.  "We look forward to executing our strategy in the upcoming months."

Congratulations, Team Kosrae!  Kulo!




KOSRAE: MC Communications Planning Workshop begins June 19, 2012

Sponsored by KIRMA and KCSO, the Kosrae MC Communications Planning Workshop began on Monday, June 18, 2012, and will conclude on Friday, June 22nd. The attendees numbered over 25 for the first two days representing over 6 government agencies, women's groups, fisheries and Kosrae government radio. A great turnout, indeed! Thanks to Andy George, director of KCSO, and MC Focal Point, Marston Luckymis, marine monitoring manager of KCSO, for organizing the workshop.



KOROR: 2nd Terrestrial Measures Meeting begins Monday, June 18, 2012.

The planning team talks shop in Koror on Sunday, June 17.

L-R Charlene Mersai, Lorraine Rdiall (TNC), Surech Hideyos (MCRO)

L-R Umii Sengebau (TNC), Adele Isechal (PICRC), Dr. Yim Golbuu (PICRC)

YAP: Communications Plan Workshop May 23-29, 2012


:: COMMUNICATIONS PLAN WORKSHOP
Resource agencies and partners come together in Yap to craft Yap's Local Communications Plan.
    The FSM's first Micronesia Challenge Communications Plan has been crafted  in Yap. On May 23-29, 2012, representatives from the Yap EPA, Yap Department of Resources & Development, YapCAP, Yap Visitors Bureau, and other community members met in Colonia for a week's worth of discussion and strategizing. The workshop was facilitated by Jeanine Almany of The Nature Conservancy and Berna Gorong of Yap.

   "It was a lot of work, but we managed to create a communications plan that works for Yap.  We spent a lot of time focusing on strategies that would work for Yap's main and outer islands," said Berna. 
    "It was an eye-opening exercise to customize a communications plan for Yap," said Jeanine.  "I think what it reinforced was that every island is different, every tradition is unique, and a communications plan, in order to work, has to be customized to each island."


Participants at the Yap Communications Plan Workshop, May 24, 2012

Palau's Young Champions on Coral & Temperature Assessment

FROM THE YOUNG CHAMPIONS BLOG NETWORK
PALAU: Coral Collecting, etc.
May 19, 2012, KORROR, PALAU

Hi Everyone!

It's been a while since you’ve heard from us since our last blogging which was about a month ago. So we just want to update you guys with what’s been going on.

We have been assisting the people from with the Aquarium Department to do temperature readings. We went to collect corals at Ngerchelngael, which is a rock island known to have a variety of living corals. We then brought the corals that we collected, back to the Center and placed them in the Outer Reef Tank. But, before placing them in the tank we had to clean the tank, by taking out the dead corals and placing the corals we collected in an orderly manner.


In addition to the coral collecting, we also did temperature readings for all the tanks in the Aquarium. We had to record and make sure that tanks are at the right temperature to prevent fishes and the marine animals from dying. After checking and recording all the temperatures, we had to consult with the Aquarist and make sure that all the tanks are in the right temperature. Well, that’s about it.

That’s basically what we have been doing for the past months here at the Palau International Coral Reef Center.

Until next time,
- The Ladies

Bird Watching in Kosrae

FROM "Saving Our Micronesia" Community Blog
Kosrae: Andy George, KCSO, reports
May 16, 2012, Kosrae

On March, 05, 2012, a team from University of Missouri arrived on Kosrae to survey forests birds and coastal birds as well. Two months earlier the same research was conducted in Pohnpei and Ant Atoll. Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization (KCSO), Terrestrial Program, was assigned to assist and coordinate guides to escort the team to transacts surveyed on the island by US Fish and Wildlife conducted in 1983-84 on Kosrae. Regarding the survey protocol, each site starts at sunrise (6:15) until 11:00 am, which is the best time to watch the birds. It also requires sunny weather or at least light rain in the morning. The actual survey is 8 minutes aural/visual survey, recording species, time, distance, detection type and number of birds. Each transect point-count station are separated by 200 meters. 

The data collected during the survey will be analyzed and used to update the status of birds in Kosrae compared to surveys done in the past and will also be shared among natural resource agencies  for public awareness and most importantly as baseline information to modify resource  management regulations in Kosrae. With a lot of cuts, bruises, rashes, blisters and wet weather, the project finally accomplish its mission with 21 transects and a total of 630 stations. 

On behalf of the team, KCSO is very happy to extend its utmost appreciation to the team and to each and everyone who assisted the implementation of the project. Special acknowledgement to the following trail guides who put a lot of effort to the accomplishment of the project: Salik Wakuk, Larry Alokoa, Stoney Alokoa, Hamilson Phillip, Weston Palik, Kuken Taulung,Kanbu Taulung and YELA organizaiton Mr. William William; Mr.Rickson Jonathan and Robert Tulensru. With all your collaborative efforts the mission is successfully accomplished as planned. Additionally, we believe that throughout the survey, we’ve all learned the importance of the birds and how tragic they can be in the future if we do not comply to the regulations set in place to protect them. 


Posted by
Andy George
8:10 am
Tuesday, May 16, 2011
Location: Kosrae

Chuuk's Young Champion blogs on pollution she's noticing.

FROM THE YOUNG CHAMPIONS BLOG NETWORK
CHUUK: Groundwork for Chuuk's Shark Sancutary
May 10, 2012, WENO, CHUUK

Visiting the College of Micronesia (COM) - Chuuk Campus, I noticed something strange going on right outside the fence.

Not cool!
There was water pouring out one of the Pacific International Incorporated (PII) big hoses. Upon closer inspection I realized they were pouring sewage out into the ocean, as well as the land near the sea wall that runs along the near shore area of COM.

I couldn’t help but think about the damage this act was causing. Not only are they destroying what is left of the marine resources in that area, but the smell was something the students, as well as faculty, staffs and the people around that area had to inhale almost everyday. I wondered to myself whether our Department of Environmental Protection Agency was aware of this and whether they were doing something about it.

So not cool!
I know that for so long the people of Chuuk have had to face driving on a road that was in need of repair quite badly, but is this more important than the life of our environment? Is this worth losing so many of the things we’ve depended on for so many years? Why are we letting outsiders come in and do whatever they want to do with our environment? In the end, we will be the ones facing the consequences of the actions they are taking today. Not only will we suffer, but the future generation will too.

I think we should start doing something now before this gets out of hand. Not only do I see them pouring sewer out to the ocean, or wherever they want to, but they are slowly decimating our mountains. People living there are losing their homes because of this. We shouldn’t think only about the problems of today, but look towards the future and see how the actions of today will affect the people of tomorrow.

/s/ Kriz in Chuuk


Protecting Kosrae's Upland Forest

FROM "Saving Our Micronesia" Community Blog
Kosrae: Andy George, KCSO, reports
May 6, 2012, Kosrae

On December 19, 2011, Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization (KCSO) and  Critical Ecosystem Partnership Funds (CEPF) signed  an agreement to implement a project entitled, “Protecting Kosrae’s Upland Forest”. The project aimed to deliver the following components; conduct a general survey and inventory of plants on Kosrae; raise awareness in schools and the communities on upland forest; promote the Olum watershed area for protection and recognition under the Kosrae State Protected Area Law; and mapping and reporting of  invasive weeds to assist control efforts on the island of Kosrae.
  KCSO staffs met with Malem Municipal Leadership on  “Protecting Kosrae’s Upland Forest” project. Left to right (Mayor Klava.Klavasru, Terrestrial Program Manager, Jacob-Luke Sanney, Marine Program Manager, Marston Luckymis and Executive 
Director Andy George)
On January 16, 2012, I, and Program Managers met with the Mayor, municipal leaders, church leaders, community leaders, senior citizens, youth, local farmers and landowners to discuss ongoing efforts to protect Olum Watershed and to initiate discussion on the proposed Pikensukar Marine Protected area.  At the meeting, I introduced and discussed regional and local needs to set up protected areas and to garner community support before project implementation takes place in Malem. The Mayor and members of the community indicated full support of the projects.

Monitoring Season on Guam: Redux!

FROM "Saving Our Micronesia" Community Blog
Guam: Roxanna Miller, Marine Biologist, author
May 2, 2012, Hagatna, Guam


Data logger
“So, what’s been happening with the long-term coral reef monitoring program lately?”

I’m glad you asked! Dave Burdick already gave you the low-down on the monitoring program, so now it’s time to give you a little more specific information on what we’re up to for this year. As the monitoring season quickly approaches, we find ourselves finishing up our analysis of data collected during the 2010 and 2011 monitoring seasons and assessing which types of additional reef health data we may be able to collect this year. As a variety of reef health indicators (mentioned in Dave’s blog post) have already been established within the program, it is time to add-on!

With the procurement of two multi-parameter data loggers, several types of water quality data will be collected starting with this year’s monitoring activities. Turbidity (the cloudiness of a fluid caused by individual particles), dissolved oxygen (the amount of oxygen dissolved in a medium, i.e. seawater), pH (the measure of acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution), conductivity (a way to indirectly measure salinity), and temperature will be collected at multiple locations across all monitoring sites, but with the installation of data loggers at two, possibly three, sites, data will be collected continuously for several months in these areas. The collection of water quality data, along with the continued collection of benthic habitat and fish community data, will allow us to better understand how these environmental
factors affect reef health on Guam.



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