PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

At Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), we are committed to the safety and security of our visitors and staff.  As we face many uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic, we will take a precautionary approach and implement measures to limit exposure and risk to our partners, collaborators, guest and the public at large.  The Center will continue to conduct research but will limit outreach activities to internet and e-mails.  Since most flights will be discontinued and schools are closed, we will also close the aquarium to the public. We will continue to work on much needed maintenance and improvement of displays during this time.  If you need to contact us please do so by e-mail or phone, as we try to minimize in person contact as much as possible. read more

On March 20, 2020 Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) postponed, until further notice, the deadline of all artwork to be submitted for the 2021 “Saving Our Oceans from Plastic Pollution” Arts and Tides Calendar.

Originally stipulated to be on March 27^th, the Center deferred the aforementioned deadline in light of the suspension of all school activities as part of the preventive measures taken by the Palau Government against COVID-19.

As a project that started since the opening of the Center back in 2001, the Arts and Tides Calendar is a community-based program whose aim is to involve, educate, and raise awareness. “It is a very successful program as it involves students and community alike. Through creative artwork, students become ocean advocates, while helping the Center carry on with its mission in conserving marine ecosystems,” stated PICRC CEO Yimnang Golbuu. “We will continue to communicate with the Ministry of Education to establish a new deadline according to regulations and preventive measures taken by our government,” he added. read more

On March 05, 2020 Professor Peter Mumby, adjunct researcher at the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and head of the Marine Spatial Ecology Lab at the University of Queensland, published a paper in the scientific journal, Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS). Titled “Species-specific effect of herbivorous fishes on the establishment of the macroalga Lobophora on coral reefs,” the study shows the importance of herbivorous fishes in maintaining balanced and healthy reefs by reducing competition between corals and seaweed. read more

Click HERE to download a copy of the ENTRY FORM

Click HERE to download a copy of the ENTRY FORM

Two young Palauans, Mr. Harrison Umang and Ms. Trinity Misech, have recently joined the Center as the newest aquarists at the Palau Aquarium.

In 2013, Mr. Umang became a PICRC intern where he mostly worked with the maintenance team. This experience exposed him to the work done at the Center and, has been eager to join PICRC ever since. As an artist who was previously teaching at Palau Community College (PCC), Harrison’s work has been showcased in PICRC’s Arts and Tides Calendar in three consecutive years; one of which, he was awarded the overall winner. Mr. Umang holds a creative mind that is giving him tools to improve the day-to-day activities carried out at the Aquarium. Passionate about conservation, Mr. Umang hopes to gain knowledge to be able to maintain Palau’s beauty. read more