By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The implementation of the second phase of the Koror Fisheries Monitoring Project is set to commence following the signing of a contract between the Palau International Coral Reef Center and the Koror state government this week.
Funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Resilient Reef Project, the project is considered crucial to safeguarding reef fisheries resources to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
Phase 2 is a continuation of work started in Phase 1, such as conducting additional stock assessment surveys for sea cucumbers and sea urchins, as well as analyzing the data collected and writing of technical reports.
Roxanne Siual Blesam, PICRC’s chief executive officer, underscored the importance of communicating scientific findings in a way that is easily understood by the public, community members and students.
“It is very critical that community outreach activities are conducted under this partnership,” Blesam said. “When more people are engaged, the better the outcome of the project.”
In 2021, the state government developed the Koror Southern Lagoon Coastal Fisheries Management Plan, in partnership with local scientists, managers and fishers, which aims to sustainably manage Koror’s reef fisheries and ensure the community can continue to benefit from these resources.
In Phase 1 of the project, PICRC was tasked with carrying out research and monitoring of reef fish stocks in Koror state, to provide feedback and recommendations on the management plan.
From January 2023 to February 2024, PICRC conducted a fishery-independent survey at 90 sites across Koror, fish landing monitoring at the JR5 fish market, surveys at one of the spawning aggregation sites identified in the management plan, a proposed marine protected area baseline assessment, and macroinvertebrate stock assessments.
PICRC said Phase 2 will have 13 deliverables by August 2025.
“The results of this project will be shared with Koror government to better direct and build on policies proposed in the associated Koror State Coastal Fisheries Management Act of 2021 to ensure sustainable fisheries for the people of Koror,” PICRC said.
This research is designed to help reinforce traditional knowledge, emphasizing the importance of integrating both contemporary and traditional sources of knowledge.
The development of outreach materials and educational resources based on results of the surveys, as well as other outreach activities, is another deliverable of this project to be carried out by PICRC in partnership with Koror.
PICRC will also train Koror rangers to conduct their own stock assessment data collection on macroinvertebrates.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition
Comments