Where We Work
The waters of Guam are home to 5,000 species of marine organisms, many of which rely on healthy coral reefs for survival. In Guam’s nearshore waters, the combined area of coral reef and lagoon is approximately 26 square miles—nearly 13,000 American football fields. Guam’s coral reefs are estimated to be worth $127 million per year, making them crucial to the economic, cultural, political and social viability of Guam.
Our Approach
Partnership efforts focus on providing technical support and capacity building for local staff to conduct watershed planning and prioritization of coral reef management efforts; increase effectiveness of monitoring efforts; and support local NGO advisory group development. To amplify conservation momentum in the region and foster shared learning, the partnership also supports regional learning exchanges and activities conducted within the framework of the Micronesia Challenge, a commitment to conserve at least 30 percent of nearshore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by 2020.
Our Accomplishments
Our work has directly benefited more than 200 square miles of coral reef habitat at more than 20 sites. Partnership efforts have provided training and technical assistance for more than 800 individuals, developed 10 new management plans to improve coral health and supported 14 organizations directly and through regional networks.
- Established the Maui Nui Makai Network (Network), which is helping to increase capacity for effective co-management with the State. The Network is now leading a coalition of community groups to create a collaborative, regional plan for marine resource management across east Maui.
- Co-authored the Malama I Ke Kai: Community Action Guide to help groups successfully undertake community-based management of coastal and marine resources. The Guide integrates Native Hawaiian practices and values with contemporary conservation processes, resulting in a robust and culturally appropriate 4- step process for creating and implementing community-based management plans.
- Developed 10 site-based conservation action plans (CAPs) in partnership with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources for existing marine life conservation districts and community areas that harbor beloved reefs where people live and work. The plans identify conservation actions and traditional Hawaiian practices that can be taken to address threats to coral reefs.
- Completed reef and reef fish baseline monitoring at eight Maui sites and established the most comprehensive baseline in the state at Ka‘ūpulehu on Hawai‘i island. The data are actively informing management efforts at these high priority sites.
- Developed a sustainable finance plan in collaboration with the State of Hawai‘i’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) for the Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). The plan serves as a model that DAR is using to increase funding for management of this and other State marine protected areas.
- Launched the South Kohala Coastal Partnership, which has galvanized more than 50 public, private and community groups who are implementing projects to abate threats to the region’s coral reefs and mitigate the impacts of climate change across an area the size of Moloka‘i.
- Published the Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui, a first of its kind report compiling 20 years of data. Our analysis shows where reefs are doing well and where they are in decline to inform reef management and restoration efforts.
- Assessed the effectiveness of voluntary rest areas for ‘opihi (Cellana exarata), a prized intertidal fishery species. The study found ‘opihi size and abundance increased in both the voluntary no-take areas and in many areas downcurrent.
The Atlas provides a clear picture of the changes in West Maui’s reefs and fish populations. Understanding these changes is helping us and our community partners develop effective management plans to restore these resources and achieve our shared goal of effectively protecting 30% of nearshore areas by 2030.
SUCCESS STORY: Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui—Helping natural resource managers and planners work smarter, faster, better.
Over the past 20 years, researchers have documented significant declines in the health
of West Maui’s coral reefs and reef fisheries—resources vital to the area’s people, culture and economy. Local communities have also noticed the declines and are collaborating with State agencies to improve management of these resources.
The Atlas provides the groups and agencies with a shared understanding of when and how reefs and fisheries have changed, so they can develop targeted and effective strategies to reduce local pressures and increase the resilience of these vital resources.
A Snapshot of 20 Years of Change
The Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui (Atlas) is a valuable new resource that summarizes scientific data documenting changes in coral reefs and marine life to inform management strategies in West Maui.
The first of its kind, the Atlas delivers a wealth of data through efficient collections and summaries. It reflects data collected by five public and private organizations over 20 years (1999-2019) from 2,600 sites spanning 23.6 miles (38 km) of coral reefs and other hardbottom areas.
Extending from the Pali Tunnel on Honoapiʻilani Highway to Līpoa Point north of Honolua Bay, the Atlas documents changes in abundance, biomass, and diversity of marine life. This information is helping marine managers develop effective strategies to address threats to reef health from a growing population (e.g., land-based sources of pollution, unsustainable harvest of ocean resources) and warming climate (e.g., rising sea levels, temperatures, ocean acidification).
Informing Planning and Modeling
Developed at the request of Hawai‘i’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), the Atlas is already being used by State and community partners who are developing much-needed Conservation Action Plans with targeted strategies to reduce local pressures and increase resilience at two popular tourist destinations—the Honolua Bay Marine Life Conservation District and an eight-mile area surrounding Lāhaina.
“The Atlas provides a clear picture of the changes in West Maui’s reefs and fish populations,” explains DAR Biologist Russell Sparks. “Understanding these changes is helping us and our community partners develop effective management plans to restore these resources and achieve our shared goal of effectively protecting 30% of nearshore areas by 2030.”
The Atlas is also contributing to USGS 3D ocean modeling and US Coral Reef Task Force efforts.
