Wednesday, 1 October Koror,
Palau
Meet at the TNC office for a presentation with TNC staff
and select partner organizations of the Micronesia Challenge, if available.
Brief introduction of the
Micronesia Challenge, Palau Protected Areas Network design, ecosystem
approaches to fisheries management in Palau (data poor stock assessments,
fishermen’s summit), resilience assessments, conservation action planning
processes, Marine Protected Area management effectiveness assessments,
etc.
Palau
Independence Day Festivities with H.E. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President of
Palau; Hon. Elbuchel Sadang, Minister of
Finance, and Hon. Umiich Sengebau, Minister of
Natural Resources, Environment, and Tourism
Thursday, 2 October Palau/Rock Islands
Embark on
kayak trip to the Rock Islands by boat.
Palau’s famous limestone Rock Islands, the most popular tourist
destination in Palau and a main contributor to the country’s economy, remain an
example of how conservation and economic demands can strike a balance. The
Conservancy and our partner the Palau Conservation Society worked closely with
the Koror state government to develop a comprehensive multiple-use management
plan for this area using our scientific planning methodology. Lunch and dinner will be served on the
beach.
Friday, 3 October Babeldaob/Lake Ngardok
Visit resilience / long-term monitoring sites;
snorkel Jellyfish Lake to understand about sustainable finance and zoning of the Rock Islands. On this field
excursion, visit multiple locations in the Rock Islands, with the order and
selection of specific sites dependent on tides and weather conditions.
Lunch will be served on the beach.
Saturday, 4 October Ngarchelong, Northern Reefs
Visit the Northern Reefs with partners (Noah, PCS,
PICRC, Bureau of Marine Resources, etc.). Meet with leaders and fishermen
working to protect and effectively manage the Northern Reefs in the states of Ngarchelong
and Kayangel. Talk about their
management planning, monitoring, developing climate adaptation strategies and
fisheries management. Have lunch with the community. Snorkel Ebiil Channel
Conservation Area. Possible return via
Ngermeduu Bay to talk more about the 1997-98 bleaching event, sedimentation
from the Babeldaob Road, and resilience.
Alternate plan (weather
permitting): Visit Ngeruangel Marine Reserve
and smaller subset of above plan, depending on time constraints.
Sunday, 5 October Koror
Visit the capitol, Babledaob Lunch meeting with the Reklai (Paramount Chief of Melekeok), visit Melekeok traditional men’s meeting house called a Bai and Lake Ngardok for overview on Belau Watershed Alliance and conservation action planning process.
Meet at TNC office and reflect on week’s events, pull
together thoughts on refining overarching Micronesia / broader Pacific Island
strategy, in context of Micronesia Challenge, GCGS, AP big wins, etc.
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