Waves crashed along the reef at Adelup over the weekend. 

“The water along the reef line, our rescue swimmers did have challenges due to rough seas,” said Guam Fire Department Spokesperson, Lt. Nick Garrido. 

Garrido said rescue crews were called to the right side of the Government Office Complex just before 10 p.m. Saturday. 

Authorities looked for a spear fisherman who never returned to shore. 

“Upon the GFD safe boat arrival, they did notice a flashlight in the water–two rescue swimmers conducted their search, and they found the individual right along the reef line,” said Garrido. 

The 32-year-old victim was unconscious as the GFD vessel rushed him to the Hagatna boat basin but he did not survive. 

GFD paramedics were forced to terminate resuscitation efforts. 

“But it's sad to hear. Very sad for anybody to lose their life in the water,” said Al Cruz, who was fishing along the access road to the Hagatna Treatment Plant the day after the drowning. 

He's been fishing since he was five-years-old. 

Cruz said this time of year can be rough for fishermen heading out. 

“My father told me and my uncle and family that always in the ending part of the year and beginning part of the year, it's not good to go fishing. You got to stay out of the water because. I don't know if you notice. There's a lot of people drowning at those times of the year. The water takes people. Then come February the water becomes nice to go fishing,” said Cruz. 

On Sunday, the waves were choppy in the area where the fisherman's body was recovered. 

KUAM spoke with Public Safety Oversight Chair Senator Shawn Gumataotao about the tragedy unfolding just days into the new year and moments after he officially took over the chairmanship. 

“First off, let me say that my prayers go out to the families and to the first responders,” said Sen. Gumataotao. “We have to abide by some of the warnings by the National Weather Service and we gotta encourage our people to be very vigilant on the waters and continue to support our public safety folks.”

Though no watches or warnings for rough seas were in place this weekend, Cruz says, “The only advice I can say is to buy at the store until the water gets better. That's about it because even me, I teach my grandkids how to fish too and I will not take them out there when the water is like this. I guess too it's a lot of common sense that if the water is rough then don't go out because no matter how good of a swimmer you are, the water is stronger.”

Meantime, the Guam Police Department will be conducting their investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim's loved ones.