The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant (UOG CIS & Sea Grant) is expanding its commitment to sustainable fisheries and community education with the establishment of a new Sustainable Fisheries Education Fellowship, naming Kevin Rivera as its inaugural fellow.

The fellowship is part of a new cooperative partnership between UOG CIS & Sea Grant and Reef Pursuit International (RPI) establishing the Sustainable Anglers of Micronesia: Fishing, Safety and Stewardship program as a part of the ongoing Guihan for Guahan initiative.

The year-round program will bring together fisheries science, traditional knowledge, cultural practices, ocean safety and responsible recreational fishing while helping preserve and share the fishing knowledge that has connected Micronesian communities to the ocean for generations.

According to Austin Shelton, Ph.D., director of UOG CIS & Sea Grant, the partnership with RPI is a perfect collaboration holding shared goals with Rivera being a great proponent for sustainable fishing.

“As the inaugural Sustainable Fisheries Education Fellow, Kevin will lead community education, outreach and program development efforts,” said Shelton. “His work will help translate fisheries and coastal science into practical resources for anglers, families and communities while documenting and sharing cultural fishing practices and island knowledge.” 

Rivera, a longtime advocate for Guam’s fishing community, serves as president of RPI, a Guam-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving fishing culture for future generations.

“Preserving and respecting our fisheries and our culture go hand-in-hand,” said Rivera. “To be able to collaborate with CIS & Sea Grant will bring new resources to our community and our people and I am very excited to help with conservation efforts that are so important for our island’s future.”

Through the new Sustainable Anglers of Micronesia program, UOG CIS & Sea Grant and RPI will co-develop educational videos, workshops and hands-on activities covering sustainable fishing techniques, chart reading, weather interpretation, trip planning, ocean conditions, water safety and preparation for safe fishing excursions.

The organizations will also collaborate on RPI’s annual Famagu’on Fishing Camp, providing young people with hands-on fishing, cultural, conservation and water-safety education. The partnership will extend to Chief of the Reef, UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s annual Fish Fest and other community workshops, demonstrations and youth programs throughout the year.

The program will complement UOG CIS & Sea Grant’s Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture initiatives, including Aquaculture & Aquaponics, Community Backyard Aquaponics Systems, and the upcoming innovation efforts.

A major goal of the partnership is to expand sustainable fishing education beyond Guam.

UOG CIS & Sea Grant and RPI plan to work with regional nonprofit organizations as well as Palau Community College, Northern Marianas College and the College of Micronesia-FSM through their Land-Grant extension programs. These partnerships are intended to share resources and build connections among anglers, educators, cultural practitioners, scientists and island communities throughout Micronesia.

“Fishing has provided food and livelihoods throughout Micronesia for thousands of years while transmitting knowledge, strengthening families and communities, and shaping distinct cultural identities,” added Shelton. “The Sustainable Anglers of Micronesia program recognizes that sustaining those traditions requires not only teaching people how to fish, but also passing along the cultural knowledge, safety skills and stewardship ethic needed to care for the ocean.”

Through the new fellowship and partnership with RPI, UOG CIS & Sea Grant aims to connect that generations-old island knowledge with contemporary fisheries science and education—helping ensure that Micronesia’s fishing traditions and marine resources remain strong for generations to come.