WCPA-Marine/WWF MPA Management Effectiveness Initiative
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Piti Bomb Holes Preserve, Guam

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Site map

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Site Overview

General description of site:
piti bombs coast
Photo credit: James Byrne, Guam Bureau of Planning
The reef flat is irregularly shaped and a narrow outer reef flat resembling a barrier reef and shallow lagoon encloses the eastern end of the preserve while the western end consists of a channel. Reef flat contains numerous large dissolution holes (incorrectly believed to be "bomb holes" from WWII by the public). These holes supported large, diverse patch reefs but have been heavily impacted by human use. Corals are absent to moderately abundant, and seagrasses are distributed along the inner reef flat. The fore reef slope consists mainly of rocks and boulders and is steep with very little distance between depths. Bordered on the south by a boating channel and Guam's major power generating plant. Site of the largest dive tourism operation in Micronesia; also site of underwater observatory built in the largest dissolution hole. Because of the unique features of the site and the business feeding practices of employees working for an underwater observatory within the site, the area is a heavily used by dive companies and tourist.

Date of establishment: Implemented on May 16, 1997 (Guam Public Law 24-21) but full enforcement began on January 1, 2001.

Area (Km2): 3.36

Size of site (S <= 20Km2; M = 20 - 2000Km2; L >= 2000Km2): Small

Ecosystem type/main ecological features:

  • Coral reef
  • Sparse seagrass beds

Description of special resources; important ecological features; reason for establishing a protected area:

  • Extensive patch reefs in unique dissolution holes within Piti reef flat;
  • Site includes various habitats needed for the life cycle of marine animals.

Location Information


Geographic coordinates (lat/long): The eastern side boundary of the preserve extends 15degree from the pipeline at Asan Point while the western boundary extends 340degree from the Piti Canal. The seaward boundary of preserve extends to the 600 foot depth contour. The inland boundary extends in 10 meters from mean high tide mark or to the nearest public right-of-way, whichever comes first.

Nearest major city: Hagatna (Agana), Guam

Region: Tropical
Goals and Accomplishments

Goals and objectives of MPA:
  • To evaluate the effect on fish density and diversity caused by the creation of the marine preserve;
  • Primarily restoring reef fish population abundance, spillover to reef fisheries; and
  • Mitigation of human impacts

Site accomplishments to date:

  • Increased abundance of some reef fish species
  • In progress
Site Management

Management objective: No take

Type of management structure: Conventional

Challenges of site management:

  • Weather
  • Herbicides/pesticides
  • Land management
  • Development
  • Enforcement laws
  • Storm run-off
  • Sewage
  • Human disturbance
  • Sedimentation
  • Fishing

Does a management plan exist? No

Summary of main aspects of management plan: N/A

Main stakeholders involved:

  • Guam DAWR and other natural resources agencies
  • general public and local community
  • Fisheye Marine Park
  • fishers
  • private businesses
  • dive companies
  • tourism industry

Other Site Evaluations and Research

Description of any other site evaluations to date:

Visual surveys are currently being conducted within the site and at adjacent control site on various habitats on the fore reef slope and reef flat: 1) strip transects 2) timed swim counts and 3) video for substrate cover

Listing of current/recent research activities:

Current research is being done by the Guam Department of Agriculture's Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) and the University of Guam Marine Laboratory (UOGML), the U.S. Department of Interior÷s National Park Service and private consultants. UOGML research programs listed at http://www.uog.edu/marinelab/tupper/index.html
Contact Information and Web Links

Main Contact(s) Information:

Jay Gutiérrez
Biologist III, Government of Guam, Department of Agriculture
Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR)
192 Dairy Road
Mangilao, Guan 96923
Ph: (671) 735-3958; (671) 735-3986
Fax: (671) 734-6570
e-mail: jgut@ite.net

Mark Tupper
Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Marine Protected Areas Research Group
University of Guam Marine Laboratory
UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923
Ph: (617) 735-2185
Fax: (671) 734-6767
e-mail: mtupper@guam.uog.edu

Other Contact(s) Information:

Murray Rudd
Senior Economic Analyst, Fisheries & Oceans Maritime Region,
Policy & Economics Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Policy and Economics Branch
6th Floor Marine House, 175 Portland Street
P.O. Box 1035, Dartmouth
Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4T3
Ph: (902) 426-4825
Fax: (902) 426-6767
e-mail: RuddM@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Bob Richmond, Professor
University of Guam Marine Lab
UOG Station
Mangilao, GU 96923
Ph: (671) 735-2188

Gerry Davis
Director, Guam Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources
192 Dairy Road
Mangilao, GU 96923
Ph: (671) 735-3986

Trina Leberer
Supervisory Fisheries Biologist
Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources
192 Dairy Road, Mangilao, GU 96923
Ph: (671) 735-3986

Link to pilot site Web page or related Web pages:


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