Palau International Coral Reef Center’s (PICRC) largest and most significant event of the year is just around the corner! The PICRC annual Anniversary Fundraising Dinner Gala will be held next Thursday, January 17^, 2019. Each year, this event is held to raise funds for the Center, but it also aims to bring partners and supporters together for a fun night celebrating Palau’s lead research center.

To guarantee a fun-filled evening, guests will be entertained by Ngerchelei and Kendall Titiml. This brother-sister duo is among the most sought-after singers in Palau.  You have heard them on the radio and likely seen them perform at the Night Market or the Taj. Now join PICRC to celebrate their 18^th Anniversary with live entertainment from these two talented musicians! read more

Each year in January, Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) invites students from all over Palau to join their anniversary celebrations. This year, PICRC was joined by partners: Palau Conservation Society (PCS), Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF), Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) Office, Division of Marine Law, and Belau Watershed Alliance (BWA).

From January 9 to January 11, PICRC and partners hosted an Education Carnival to celebrate and educate. During the carnival, students learned about fisheries, freshwater conservation, marine pollution, and what it means to “Build a Strong Foundation for a Resilient Future”, the theme for PICRC’s 18^th Anniversary. read more

From Ngeruangel in the far north all the way to Helen Reef in the far south, Palau International Coral Reef Center’s (PICRC) various research programs covered the full range of Palau’s archipelago in the last 12 months.  Among these programs are long-term changes in Palau’s coral reefs and ocean chemistry; and monitoring the effectiveness of the Protected Areas Network (PAN) marine sites.  Additionally, researchers at PICRC have been studying the movement of pelagic fish in and around the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), and have recently received additional funding to continue this work. read more

In Palau, reef fish are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors, such as overfishing and climate change. According to a recent study conducted by Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) Office, University of Hawaii, and funded by National Geographic Pristine Seas, a shift in seafood preference from reef fish to pelagic fish may be critical in sustaining Palau’s nearshore fisheries.

For decades, Palau’s pelagic fishery has been dominated by foreign fishing vessels. Still today, the vast majority of catch and revenue from this industry is exported overseas. Reclaiming this fishery could provide a new revenue and food source for Palau while simultaneously, alleviating pressure on Palau’s reef fish. read more

Ms. Hiromi Ito has re-joined the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) as a full time, Graphic Designer under the Aquarium Department. Visual design is an effective way of engaging students and the community in science and research. Successfully communicating the work that is produced by PICRC is critical and graphic visualization can help simplify complex ideas.

In this position, Ms. Ito will be responsible for developing new educational materials and displays for the Palau Aquarium Exhibits. Ms. Ito will assist in the design and development of a new website for the Center. Additional responsibilities include marketing materials for the Palau Aquarium, building the capacity of PICRC staff, and developing standards for the design and implementation of all new promotional and educational materials. read more