Piti Bomb Holes

Guam's Marine Preserves protect coral reef habitats and provide refuges for marine life. They also help restore reef fish stocks and are known nesting sites for the endangered Green Sea Turtle. Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve is a shallow lagoon complex that resembles a barrier reef. Within the preserve are percolation pits at depths of 25–30 ft. where freshwater enters the reef flat. Two species of mollusks and one species of sea urchin are found in these holes that are found nowhere else in the world. Out of all the marine preserves in Guam, Piti Bomb Holes has the most diverse habitat. In 1986, the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources determined that fish stocks were beginning to show signs of degradation. This preserve was established to reverse the decline of the coral reef fishery.

Species of Concern: Corals (Scleractinia); Trochus (Trochus niloticus); Tridacnid (Tridacninae)

Restrictions

1. Take of aquatic animals is restricted. Unless specifically authorized, the following activities shall be prohibited: dip netting, gillnetting, drag netting, surround netting, spearfishing, the use of gaffs, shell collecting, gleaning and removal of sand or rocks.
2. Take of Tridacnid clams for personal use is prohibited.
3. Use of dredging equipment to take aquatic life is prohibited.
4. The use of a purse seine for the commercial harvesting of any aquatic animal, marine animal or pelagic fish other than scads is prohibited within the waters of Guam.

Allowed

1. Limited offshore fishing is permitted: Trolling is allowed from the reef margin seaward but only for pelagic fish which includes all billfishes, mahi mahi, bonita, kawa kawa, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, rainbow runner, or any other tuna or migratory ocean-going fish.
2. All take of marine life must conform to regulations regarding species allowed, size limitations, catch limits, method of capture, and seasons. Temporary closures may apply.