Guam dept. Of agricultures mission is to protect and promote guams natural resources and economy through research and conservation

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Guam Department of Agriculture's Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) $124,090 under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027. This formula grant supports the establishment of an in-house biosampling laboratory designed to process fish samples and generate critical life-history and reproductive biology data for reef fish species throughout Guam. The laboratory will enable data-driven fisheries management policies to address the urgent need for sustainable management of oceanic saltwater fish populations that are essential to Guam's economy and food security.

The biosampling lab will serve as a research and assessment facility to support the scientific foundation necessary for effective aquatic natural resource management in Guam. By generating biological and reproductive data on the myriad fish species targeted for consumption and recreation, DAWR will be positioned to implement evidence-based management measures to prevent population declines and ensure the long-term viability of the territory's fisheries resources. This initiative aligns with the Sport Fish Restoration program's core objective of conserving and managing sport fish populations while providing sustainable public access to aquatic resources.

The people of guam heavily rely upon is oceanic saltwater fish. If left unmanaged, we may see a sharp decline in populations of the various reef fish species targeted for consumption and recreation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish data-driven management measures for the myriad of fish species of importance to guam. The guam division of aquatic and wildlife resources (dawr) requests $224,090.00 over a two-year period to establish an in-house biosampling lab that would be able to process fish samples and to generate important life-history and reproductive biology data that would drive management policies for our aquatic natural resources.