Mitigate the risk of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) spreading through the micronesia region and to mitigate CRB populations on guam

The University of Guam received $271,621 under a Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award supports biosecurity and pest surveillance activities designed to prevent the spread of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) throughout the Micronesia region and manage CRB populations on Guam. The University of Guam will maintain detector dog inspections for CRB in outbound cargo destined for CRB-free Pacific islands, operate a CRB panel trap network at ports of entry, and conduct bi-annual monitoring of CRB feeding damage on coconut palms.

These prevention and surveillance activities will reduce the risk of CRB transport into sensitive cargo loading areas and subsequent movement to other Pacific islands and the U.S. mainland. The data collected will support consultations with port and commercial cargo operations to develop and implement procedures that minimize CRB contamination in exported cargo, shipping containers, and passenger baggage. The initiative benefits Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Hawaii, other CRB-free Pacific islands, and U.S. states with palm production and palm-based agriculture. No subawards were designated at the time of award.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to mitigate the risk of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) spreading through the micronesia region and to mitigate CRB populations on guam.

Activities

Maintain detector DOG inspections for CRB in outbound cargo destined for CRB-free pacific islands; maintain CRB panel trap network at ports of entry; continue BI-annual monitoring of CRB feeding damage on coconut palms. Deliverables and expected outcomes: these traps and cargo inspections will help prevent movement of CRB into sensitive cargo loading areas, where they could become a greater danger for transport off guam to other islands in micronesia or the U.S. Mainland; the data will assist in consultations with port and commercial cargo loading operations to develop and encourage procedures that minimize the risk of CRB making their way into exported cargo, shipping containers or passenger baggage streams. Intended beneficiary(IES): guam, cnmi, hawaii, other islands in the pacific who do not have CRB, U.S. States WH O have palms and/or palm production. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: no subawards