Bread, worms, fish? Or corn, crackers, stale donuts? At the sixth\u00a0Kids\u2019 Freshwater Fishing Derby held earlier this month, 35 youth between the ages of 5 to 16 participated in the competition held at the Masso Reservoir in Piti.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eight-year-old Tianna Vasquez-Bilon won after catching a 186mm tilapia. She contributed\u00a0to the total derby catch of 69 tilapia, sleepers, and shrimp.<\/p>\n
Thomas Detry (10) came in second with a 173mm\u00a0macheng\u00a0(sleeper) while Tylor Vasquez-Bilon (10) came in third with a 160mm tilapia.<\/p>\n
Other freshwater species living in the Masso Reservoir include\u00a0umatang\u00a0(flagtail) and\u00a0asuli\u00a0(eel). Early risers could be lucky to hear a\u00a0pulattat\u00a0(Marianas\u00a0moorhen), which has also been known to nest in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The derby, using a fishing platform built six years ago, offers youth an opportunity to fish in a safe environment. The Department of Agriculture spearheads the annual event to encourage recreational fishing while UOG Cooperative Extension & Outreach coordinated activities to teach people about the area\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n
Volunteer John Jocson manned a table where he helped participants make simple hook-and-line sets of\u00a0ahgao\u00a0(false elder) and pago\u00a0(beach hibiscus) branches. Returning this year with his antique lures and fishing gear display, volunteer Yohei Harada also taught knot-tying. Using ti leaves and\u00a0kalachucha\u2019\u00a0(plumeria), volunteer Mo\u00f1eka De Oro helped people weave\u00a0mwar-mwars,\u00a0or garlands.<\/p>\n
A scavenger hunt coordinated by Forestry & Soil Resources Division, the Southern Guam Soil & Water Conservation District, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coral Reef Conservation Program challenged attendees to find mango leaves,\u00a0lada\u00a0fruit,\u00a0bayogu\u00a0(sea bean) seeds, flowers, and evidence of animal damage throughout the park.<\/p>\n
The Biosecurity Division also set up two microscopes so participants could see little fire ants, a relatively new invasive species. Staff also provided information about the coconut rhinoceros beetle and greater banded hornet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And if the occasional rain wasn\u2019t enough in the derby\u2019s few hours, Forestry staff lightly hosed kids from their fire truck and 5-gallon water bladder bags. This essential equipment helps suppress recent human-caused wildfires around the Nimitz Hill area, which borders the Masso park.<\/p>\n
Since 2008, the Department of Agriculture has planted more than 14,000 trees in the Masso area to decrease erosion and help restore the Asan-Piti watershed. Wildfires, all of which on Guam are started by humans, threaten the decade-long restoration effort.<\/p>\n
All activities, part of larger islandwide Earth Month events, helped participants to understand Guam\u2019s environment and ways to protect it.<\/p>\n
Winners
\n\t\u2022\tTianna Vasquez-Bilon (8) – 186mm tilapia\u00a0
\n\t\u2022\tThomas Detry (10) – 173mm sleeper
\n\t\u2022\tTylor Vasquez-Bilon (10) – 160mm tilapia
\n\t\u2022\tIsabelle Sunga (13) – 150mm tilapia
\n\t\u2022\tJacob Soderquist (8)- 137mm tilapia
\n\t\u2022\tMike Halmi, Jr. (15) – 137mm tilapia<\/p>\n
The top four winners received rod and reel sets with a tackle box. Fifth and sixth place winners received outdoor camping stools.<\/p>\n
For information about upcoming saltwater derbies at Asan in June and July, contact Marie Auyong at 735-2143 (auyongm@triton.uog.edu) or Brent Tibbatts at 735-0289 \/ 0281 \/ 0294 (guamfishinfo@gmail.com).\u00a0(UOG)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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