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Palau Takes Part In Micronesia Challenge...An Island Partnership for Natural Resource Conservation
The Republic of Palau is a relatively young country, yet it confronts many of the challenges that are faced by the developing nations of the world. In its efforts to sustainably develop the islands, the team of conservationists are ever aware of the small domestic market, remoteness from major markets, narrow resource base, heavy dependence on trade and foreign assistance and vulnerability to external shocks and natural disasters.
Palau’s response to these realities is to emphasize its strength, which is the unique and bountiful natural environment. Former Palau President and current Senator Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. comments, “For years now, I have stated that, for Palau the environment is our Economy.” He says, “We’ve therefore chosen to take the path that fits our reality. This path, at its beginning and its end, leads to the comprehensive protection of our diverse natural habitats.”
Remengesau acknowledges that Palau must work with global partners and with its regional friends to curb the current tide of environmental degradation that threatens the entire globe. That is why he and his partners from the Federated States of Micronesia, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Territory of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands presented the Micronesia Challenge to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in March 2006 in Curitiba, Brazil.
The Micronesia Challenge is a commitment by Palau and its regional partners to effectively conserve, within each country, 30% of near-shore marine and 20% of terrestrial resources by the year 2020. Through this challenge, Palau aims to become the first nation in the world to establish a Protected Areas Network that is totally self-supporting. The goal is to establish a $12 million fund that will provide annual funding for the management of protected areas.
“We are committed to working with our global constituents and preservation enthusiasts to ensure that our cultural past and pristine natural resources will not be lost in the development challenges that we face,” according to Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., (former) President of the Republic of Palau.
3D Film Premiere Brings Coral Reef Conservation Leaders to DC
Academy-Award Nominated Directors, Renowned Conservation Scientists, and Environmental Leaders Discuss Efforts to Preserve Threatened Ocean Communities
Two special screenings of The Last Reef, a new documentary featuring unprecedented 3D footage of life in our ocean’s coral worlds, will bring together leading scientists and conservationists to discuss the threats—and the hope that remains—for coral reefs. While new research suggests that the ocean is acidifying at a significantly faster rate than at any time in the Earth’s history, these events will highlight the efforts of environmental leaders working to change the public’s understanding of the threats that face our oceans and protect their ancient and fragile coral havens.
A special preview will be hosted by The American Association for the Advancement of Science, (publisher of Science magazine), on Tuesday, 13 March at 6:30 p.m.,; The Last Reef premieres at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History as part of the DC Environmental Film Festival on Wednesday, 14 March at 7:00 p.m. Both events will include panel discussions featuring the film’s directors, the former president of Palau, (an island nation leading the world in coral reef conservation), coral reef conservation experts from NOAA, and other leading scientists.
Shot on location in Palau, The Bahamas, Australia, Cancun and Vancouver Island, The Last Reef reveals what’s at stake by exploring our connection with ocean’s complex, parallel worlds, visiting a habitat more diverse and more colorful than ever imagined. The film’s stunning 3D imagery was captured using the world’s first underwater 4K macrophotography rig, created specifically for this shoot.
Academy-award nominated directors Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell, best-known for creating the Broadway sensation STOMP, are committed to sharing their conservation message with the public through film. Their previous documentary, Wild Ocean 3D, was honored as Earthwatch Institute’s Film of the Year, and won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Jackson Hole Environmental Film Festival.
The healthy underwater ecosystem of Palau plays heavily in the film, and while its population is a mere 20,000, the island is leading the world in coral reef and island conservation efforts. Under a 2005 resolution implemented by then-president Tommy Remengesau, Jr., Palau has committed to preserving an astounding 30 percent of their near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of their terrestrial resources by 2020. Remengesau’s efforts have spurred conservation efforts across Micronesia and inspired a global movement to conserve reefs and islands, helping establish the Global Island Partnership and similar commitments in the Caribbean and the Coral Triangle.
EVENT DETAILS:
SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW PRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Time: March 13, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: American Association for the Advancement of Science 1200 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Event guests: Beth Dieveney, acting deputy director of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and coordinator of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, Dr. Sacha Vignieri, Associate Editor of Science magazine,
The Honorable Tommy Remengesau, Jr., former president and current senator of Palau, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, directors of The Last Reef
DC PREMIERE SCREENING PRESENTED BY THE SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES in partnership with the DC Environmental Film Festival
Time: Wednesday, March 14 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Johnson IMAX Theater. 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Event guests: Dr. Mark Eakin, coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch, Alan Peters, Curator for Invertebrates and Pollinarium, and Curator for Education for Animal Programs at the National Zoo, The Honorable Tommy Remengesau, Jr., former president and current senator of Palau Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, directors of The Last Reef
Members of the media interested in attending either screening should contact Deborah Raksany at 215-768-9362 or draksany@gsfilms.com.
Media availability with former President and Senator of Palau, Tommy Remengesau Jr., and Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, directors of "The Last Reef 3D"
Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, the directing duo behind "The Last Reef 3D: Cities Beneath the Sea," along with global conservation pioneer and former president of the island nation of Palau, Tommy Remengesau Jr., will be available for interviews with at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), at 12th and H Streets, N.W., in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 14. Reporters interested in meetings should contact Deborah Raksany at 215-768-9362 or draksany@gsfilms.com.
Information extracted from Micronesia Challenge Brochure & President Remengesau’s Remarks before the U.S. Congress International Conservation Caucus:
* Commitment by Chief Executives of the ROP, FSM, RMI, CNMI and Guam to
“effectively conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.”
* Will help protect at least 66 currently identified threatened species, 10% of the global total reef area and 462 coral species—that is 59 percent of all known corals.
* The Micronesia Challenge is a part of a much larger and growing commitment by island nations throughout the world to take the international lead in preserving primary ecosystems.
* Global Island Partnership commitment was developed during the Mauritius International Meeting in January of 2005.
* The concept of Micronesia Challenge was first presented at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting held in Palau late 2005.
* Micronesian Challenge was signed by of the five Chief Executives in early 2006 and was presented to the international community at a high level even at the Conference of the Parties under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in March 2006 in Curitiba, Brazil.
* The PAN is the implementing mechanism for Palau’s promise to the Micronesia Challenge.
* The PAN was developed in close partnership with local communities, non-government organizations, and State and national government agencies.
* Palau, with the generous assistance of TNC, developed a comprehensive PAN framework to serve as the foundation for Palau’s natural resources conservations efforts.
* Under the PAN, Palau will achieve its commitment to the Micronesia Challenge by effectively conserving at least 30% of its near-shore and 20% of its terrestrial resources by the year 2020.
* On the financial level, the five jurisdictions are currently working together and separately to establish the necessary funding mechanism to implement the Challenge. (Remarks by Pres. Remengesau before U.S. Congress International Conservation Caucus)
* In Palau, with the help of TNC, there has been developed a two-pronged financial sustainability plan for PAN. This plan envisions the creation of a domestic revenue source of approximately $1.8 million per year and the development of an endowment fund to generate an additional $600,000 per year. Together, these two sources will allow Palau to establish the first self funded protected area network program. Similar financial planning for FSM, RMI, Guam and CNMI are underway. (Remarks by Pres. Remengesau before U.S. Congress International Conservation Caucus).
Palau International Coral Reef Center
Palau Aquarium
Mission Statement:
“…to be a self-sustaining Center of Excellence whose assets and facilities are directed towards scientific research, education and training that enhance capacity building, promote marine conservation, and that are internationally relevant.”
Vision Statement:
“…envision a vibrant and innovative organization that will lead Palau in research and education and contributes to informed decision-making regarding conservation and utilization of marine resources. Our activities will be locally responsive and internationally significant.”
Guiding Principles:
“…include respect for traditional values and knowledge. These principles are being merged with modern scientific knowledge in order to promote wise stewardship and sustainable use of marine resources for the present and as a legacy for future generations of Palauans and the international community.”
How It All Came About:
Common Agenda: The Palau International Coral Reef Center is part of a Common Agenda for Cooperation between Palau, Japan, and the United States. Launched in 1993, the partnership was created to address global issues on health problems, over-population, degradation of the environment, and aftermath of natural disasters. Palau was chosen as the site for this coral reef center among competing nations such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia mainly for its rich biodiversity (450 species of corals and 1,500 species of fish), proximity to research sites, and stable government.
1997 Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a project formulation study.
1998 Palau International Coral Reef Center Act: Palau National Congress enacted into law the PICRC Act to create the Center.
1999 Construction Started: The project received funding of U.S. $7.3 million from the Government of Japan for the construction of the Center.
2001: The Center opened it doors for operation.
The Center was designed to assist in improving the management, use and conservation of Palau and the world’s marine environment, and to serve as a direct educational tool and a tourist attraction through our unique aquarium exhibits. It is our hope that the activities of the Center will help ensure that future generations will enjoy, as this and prior generations have, all the natural beauty, wonder, and diversity of Palau’s marine environment.
Since its opening, the Center has assumed a number of international roles including: serving as a Node Coordinator for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), member of the Marine Resources Pacific Consortium (MAREPAC), designated as the focal point for the United States Coral Reef Task Force, co-secretariat of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) with the Government of Japan, Node Coordinator for the Western Pacific SeagrassNet Monitoring, and a member of the International Society of Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME).
Three Main Program Areas:
1. Research Department: The primary purpose of the Research Department has been to provide information to government, education, and marine resource agencies regarding Palau’s marine environment. Programs are more focused on fewer areas of research that are locally responsive and internationally relevant, namely research on Marine Protected Areas, Tropical Watershed, and Coral Reef Biology. In focusing attention on these areas, we will meet our local responsibility as well as gain international recognition.
2. Palau Aquarium: The Palau Aquarium offers enlightening, first hand experiences to inspire understanding and respect of Palau’s natural marine ecosystems. It is unique within the Micronesian
region, highlighting the coral reef ecosystem. It is comprised of nine (9) sub-themed aquariums that represent eighteen (18) ecotypes of Palau’s coastal and marine habitats. These exhibits serve as a marine attraction and as an educational tool, allowing one to take a closer look at the coastal environment of Palau without getting wet, from the mangrove all the way to the outer reef slopes. We hope to continue to provide inspirational exhibits that would provide an avenue for increasing awareness about Palau’s unique marine ecosystem and its associated flora and fauna.
3. Environmental Education & Awareness / Public Relations: Creation of this department allows the Center to advance conservation by bridging the gap between the research community and the public. Hands-on, inquiry-based activities and natural history field trips are aimed to motivate the youth and adults alike to discover their connection with the coral reef ecosystem. Our goal is to educate the public on the ecological, economic and cultural importance of coral reefs and their associated marine habitats. In doing so we are hoping to increase awareness and conservation values so that community members may become active environmental stewards.
Please come and visit the Palau Aquarium at the Palau International Coral Reef Center in Palau or visit us on the web: www.picrc.org
