The University of Guam will be playing a vital role in a new Guam Aquacultural Task Force, established by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero via Executive Order 2019-12 on April 30.

The governor expressed her vision for the island to become a center for aquaculture in the region, providing food security, generating revenue, and creating jobs.

In the past decade, the University of Guam has developed pathogen-free shrimp at its bio-secure Guam Aquaculture Development & Training Center, also known as the Fadian Hatchery, and is poised to continue producing shrimp and other aquaculture products for local consumption and export through a public-private partnership in the future.

An estimated $10 million of seafood products are imported annually to Guam. The Guam Aquacultural Task Force aims to meet the demand for sustainable and affordable seafood on the island.

UOG Sea Grant is eligible to seek federal funding to support aquaculture research, strategic planning, technology commercialization, and innovation. Financial support is also available through the Qualifying Certificate Program administered by the Guam Economic Development Authority.

UOG will be represented on the task force by Lee S. Yudin, dean of the College of Natural & Applied Sciences and professor of entomology; Cathleen Moore-Linn, executive director of the Research Corporation of the University of Guam; Hui Gong Jiang, associate professor of aquaculture; and Austin J. Shelton, director of UOG Sea Grant.

The Department of Agriculture and Guam Economic Development Authority will serve as co-chairs of the task force. Other members will be the Guam Department of Education, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Guam Community College, and other stakeholders and partners.