The main goal of the GEPA FSMP is to protect the public from adverse health risks associated with consuming fish or shellfish that may be contaminated from Island marine and fresh waters. In addition, the data collected will assist in the identification of Guam waters that may be impacted with contamination. Coordination will be conducted with other GEPA Programs to identify the potential source(s) of contamination. Coordination with Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) and the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (GDPHSS) will be conducted to ensure this program utilizes all available data.

Preface:

Guam EPA has determined the need to sample and analysis fish and shellfish found in Guam’s marine and fresh waters to ensure the safety of the general public. This need has been brought to the forefront by site specific investigations that have resulted in fish and seafood advisories. These advisories include the Agana Swamp fish advisory (Navy investigation), the Orote LF seafood advisory (Navy investigation), and the Cocos Island fish advisory (Coast Guard investigation). The Guam EPA proposes to conduct fish and shellfish tissue monitoring in order to assess tissue quality for consumption and to determine the need for consumption advisories as well as the health of the eco environment. Currently, a comprehensive fish and shellfish consumption advisory program such as this does not exist on Guam. This monitoring effort will involve the collection of fish and shellfish tissue samples from recreational, commercial (including imported fish and shellfish) and subsistence fish and shellfish harvesting sites inland, along Guam’s coast and Guam’s deep waters for analyses of priority pollutants in order to determine the need for fish and shellfish consumption advisories.

The contaminant levels in fish will be monitored via a cooperative program with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA), the Guam Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) and the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (GDPHSS). Guam EPA will collect and analyze the samples, DAWR will assist in the determination of appropriate target species for sampling and assist in determination of the sampling locations based upon their surveys. GDPHSS will issue any advisories needed as determined by the sampling efforts and the associated risk assessment.

The objectives of the Guam EPA Fish and Shellfish Contaminant Program (FSMP) are based on the USEPA national 3-tier guidance and are:

• To investigate and detect the presence and build-up of toxic and potentially hazardous substances in fish and shellfish, encompassing both fish toxicity and public health implications.
• Conduct a “Guam specific” seafood consumption survey in order to determine the amount of fish Guam residents consume as well as the locations of the fisheries utilized. This should involve a marketing research of the “northern”, “central”, and “southern” areas of Guam.
• To determine the impact of fish contaminants upon the suitability of aquatic environments for supporting abundant, useful, and diverse communities of fish life in coastal areas of Guam.
• To aid in the location of sources of toxic material discharges and evaluate long-term effects of source controls and land use changes. Coordinate with other GEPA programs in order to identify potential sources as well as ensure potential pathways are eliminated.
• Monitor the effects of sediment dredging on the marine environment (fish and shellfish) to assist in the determination of negative impacts.
• Data can be utilized as baseline/background data for Natural Resource Damage Assessment.

The comparison of whole fish data will be done for compliance with either risk-based criteria adopted by the Guam EPA FSMP or action levels set by the USEPA Screening Values. The risk-based criteria or USEPA action levels regulating commercial fisheries are the criteria that will be adopted at the island level for Guam in the issuing of sport fish consumption advisories. Whole fish data will be used primarily for detecting trends and new contaminants not routinely analyzed for. As new contaminants are identified and trends in the concentration of routine contaminants are defined, the program shall adjust its sampling to meet these changes.

GUAM EPA FSMP NETWORK DESIGN AND RATIONALE

The design and rationale for this program are currently being developed and will follow the USEPA national guidance for fish and shellfish consumption advisories. The FSCMP is expected to be fully developed and implemented by FY09 if projected proper funding and staffing are allocated.

Projected monitoring sites and species will be based upon the fishing areas designated by the DAWR Inshore Creel Survey and or the fish surveys conducted by the Guam Fisherman’s Coop/Western Regional Fisheries. These monthly surveys collect data on the species, quantity, and method caught by local fisherman island-wide.

Guam Advisory Areas 2009

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Additional Information on Guam EPA Fish & ShellFish Monitoring Program (FSMP):

Proposed parameter list for the Guam EPA FSMP (PDF, 288K)

Questions about Guam EPA Fish & ShellFish Monitoring Program (FSMP) should be directed to the Guam EPA laboratory. The laboratory can be reached at 475-1658, or send e-mail to Walter S. Leon Guerrero at Walter.Leonguerrero@guamepa.net.

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