Second annual UOG Fish Fest celebrates sustainability, science, and culture

Team Guam Spearfishing sold local catches at Fish Fest to support their community group’s needs. The group’s fundraiser brought great excitement from attendees who purchased Wahoo, Mahi, Parrot Fish and more.

The Guihan For Guahan program recognized local fishers who have contributed greatly to the research they are conducting on Guam fisheries at Fish Fest. Fishers on Guam are encouraged to submit catch data that can help to inform research and the Fisheries Management Plan with the Guam Department of Agriculture.

Community members and partners gather at the CHamoru Village on Saturday, February 21, for the second annual Fish Fest 2026. Organized by the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, the event promotes the sustainable management of Guam’s marine resources through interactive displays and cultural knowledge exchange.

Talayeru Shane Root was on hand for talaya demonstrations and lessons. The talaya has been a staple of local fishers on Guam throughout history. Talayerus not only use the tool, but also handcraft them with processes that have been used for generations.

From ancient fishing traditions and modern marine science to a fish kelaguen competition, the second annual Fish Fest —organized by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant —returned this month, continuing its mission to promote sustainable fishing and food security.

Anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, the festival brought together scientists, traditional fishers, and local families, alongside key partners like the UOG Marine Lab, the Guam Department of Agriculture, the Micronesian Conservation Coalition, among others, for the event held at the Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub at CHamoru Village.

Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, highlighted biodiversity, economy, and culture as the three pillars of the event. He noted that Guam boasts some of the most diverse coral reefs in the United States, supporting over a thousand species of reef fish. Given the significance of the island’s marine resources, Shelton emphasized that the festival serves as an essential platform for sharing best practices in sustainable fishing and resource management.

“We want to be able to ensure that the values that have been passed on for generations continue to get passed on to the future. And as we go to harvest these different species that you learn about here at Fish Fest, I think that’s a really exciting and special time where we can have that focus on at least once a year for our Fish Fest and inspire the next generations to carry this forward,” Shelton said.

Fran Castro, associate director for operations and development at UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, noted that Fish Fest is a key component of the research extension and education efforts of the program. By collaborating with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other partners, the festival provides a dedicated space to discuss the status of local fisheries on Guam and the region.

Leilani Sablan-Naden, project leader for Guihan for Guahan, described the event as a celebration of a resource that has been central to CHamoru culture. “This is an outreach event that is meant to celebrate our fish, our fisheries, and this amazing resource that surrounds our island. We have our various outreach partners that are here engaging the community on the various types of work that they do, whether that is science or management…We are just here to celebrate all things fish,” Sablan-Naden said.

She added that this year’s festivities introduced several new interactive elements, including a fisher storytelling segment designed to pass down generational wisdom and a fish kelaguen competition.

Guam DoAg also played a major role in the day’s programming. Leilani Duenas, an aquatic education and outreach biologist with the Division of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, observed that in a modern world where many people are increasingly disconnected from nature, Fish Fest serves as a necessary reminder of the beauty and importance of the ocean.

“What we’re trying to do is to emphasize that message to our community, that we should care about our environment, especially what’s in our ocean. We promote fishing in our community, like I said, and part of that is fish management. Understanding the fish helps us to manage our resources better,” Duenas said.

The impact of these outreach efforts was evident among the attendees. Svetlana Adzhigirey, who visited the event with her family, said, “This is my first Fish Fest. My 8-year-oldson is just a fanatic of fishing. That’s why when he saw the sign at Fish Hook, we have to make it here,” Adzhigirey said. She also praised the “nice setup” and the educational takeaways at the event.