Port Authority wants to find out what caused dead fish

The Port Authority of Guam is getting to the bottom of a fishy situation down at the Hagatna Boat Basin. Port officials saying they'll be enforcing existing laws - meaning only rod and reel fishing and talaya throw net fishing will be allowed at the marina.

The issue surfaced after several local fishermen called on regulatory agencies to step in - frustrated after finding an abundance of dead fish floating and washing ashore earlier this week.

Port General Manager Joanne Brown is getting involved. She met with Department of Agriculture director Matt Sablan to discuss ongoing issues related to current fishing practices at the Marina. As we reported, fishermen pointed out a net that had been in the water for 8 days. They say the net itself isn't the issue - but the length of time it was allowed to remain in the water.

Peter Gervacio said, "I don't care that he drops a net anywhere, but you start seeing dead fish around and you're still having that net on the water, then you know we need to start saying something."

Today, the net appears to have been taken out of the water. Though fishery biologist Brent Tibbats explained that conservation officers had not observed the net to be in violation of the law, however, the Port today states the law limits fishing practices for angling and cast net fishing - the latter commonly known as talaya - as the only two approved fishing methods permissible within the Marina proper.

Now, this isn't the first time issues have come up at the Marina - in 2012 the port allowed for seasonal net fishing after a conflict between angler and net fishermen.

In August of 2013, the Department of Agriculture concurred with the Port's designation and approved net fishing practices within the "Outer Basin" of the Marina.

Brown says after looking into it further nothing was ever done to put into law. Again, in response to the situation, port leaders say they are working with agriculture to enforce the law.