On October 1, 2019, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) was honored to receive a donation of $200 from His Excellency Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng, Ambassador of Thailand, stationed in Manila, Philippines. The ambassador was in Palau to join the festivities being held for Palau’s 25th Independence anniversary.

Ambassador Ruangprateepsaeng greeted PICRC staff while visiting, and also paid a visit to the Giant Clam giftshop. In gratitude for his contribution the ambassador’s name has been installed on PICRC’s Wall of Honored Donors in the front hallway of the Center. read more

On Friday, October 04, the Palau International Coral Reef Center had the pleasure of welcoming students from Fu Jen Catholic University during their visit to Palau.

As part of a Cultural Exchange Program that seeks to preserve cultures by reviving Indigenous languages, the delegation from Taiwan participated in the Austronesian Languages Revitalization Forum, held in Palau for the first time. Sixteen different indigenous groups are officially recognized in Taiwan today; each with their own language, culture and traditions. The group is made up of students from the different indigenous groups. read more

On Tuesday, October 01, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) was privileged to receive a visit from the Honorable Norihiro Nakayama, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and member of the House of Representatives, from Japan. Vice-Minister Nakayama was in Palau to participate in the celebrations being held in honor of the 25th anniversary of Palau’s independence. The Vice-Minister had a chance to tour the Palau Aquarium led by Aquarist McGee Mereb and graphic designer Hiromi Ito. read more

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) is collaborating on a project—funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation—with the Scientific Center of Monaco (CSM) to assess potential environmental risks that derive from plastic pollution.

On March 2019, CSM researchers, Dr. Vanessa Bednars and Dr. Eric Béraud, visited Palau and worked with PICRC researchers to collect samples within five meters from the surface of the water. At the same time, sediments were collected from several beaches. The collection of samples was carried out at five different sites in Palau—one on the east coast, one on the west coast, and three within Koror State. After filtering the samples, only the finest sediments were taken back to Monaco to be analyzed for the presence of microplastics. Preliminary findings show presence of microplastic particles in all samples collected. read more

On September 29, 2019 the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) had the honor to host Minister Icyang Parod of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, and his delegation from Taiwan, to the Palau Aquarium.

Sent as a Special Envoy by President Tsai, Minister Icyang is visiting Palau for the celebration of its 25^th Anniversary of Independence. Throughout their visit, the Special Envoy attended several events, including the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) Austronesian Language Revitalization Forum, Independence Day Receptions, and the Official Independence Day Ceremony. read more