Colorful information signs going up at beaches aim to catch patrons' eyes

Below clouds creeping in on the blue horizon lining Ypao Beach, Tumon waters appeared calm today. But beneath the glistening  surface, all kinds of sea life thrives, which could be a surprise for some unsuspecting swimmers. 

Today, a new sign was unveiled on the greens of Ypao displaying fishing regulations, water safety, how tourists and island residents can protect our ocean, and warnings of dangerous marine creatures.

The eye-catching fish-shaped sign with brilliant colors was revealed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, and Bureau of Statistics and Plans Director Tyrone Taitano.  

A second sign also will be erected at Ypao Beach and the rest at six other beaches across the island.

Like the first sign, the rest will depict an iconic shape, like a coconut crab, turtles, and even a latte stone. 

Taitano elaborated the purpose of the signage.

"It is to convey this valuable, important safety and regulatory information in a way that draws people into reading," he said. 

Taitano explained what makes these signs different from others.

"And so instead of doping the standard old metal signs that's printed information on it we commissioned two local artists one to do a wooden frame around it in this case a fish and the other one is to do artisti...in the middle and that draws people in to read the information in addition the signage has QR codes that translates this information into Japanese, Korean, and Chinese for the tourists," he said. "As well as convey additional information on the corals and coral reefs."

According to Taitano, the other seven signs are expected to be erected before the end of the year.
If successful, he shared that they plan to expand this project.

"We plan to expand this to additional 20 signs on ocean sites, and marine preserves throughout the island," Taitano said. "And in the process also create an additional tourist attraction because once you do something that extensive you can start to see a trail of them all signage around the island which is something that tourists are ... on and hope that would add on to Guam's competitor tourists destinations in turns a large number."

The signages are funded by multiple GovGuam agencies, Office of Insular Affairs Coral Reef Initiatives and Natural Resource Program, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Coastal Zone Management Program, University of Guam Center for Global Learning and Engagement, and the Nature Conservancy.