JICA donates boat trailer to PICRC as part of joint coastal ecosystem management project

Last week, the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) received a generous donation from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – a 33-footer double axle boat trailer. This donation is part of the ongoing project ‘Enhancement of Integrated Management of Coastal Ecosystems in Palau for Strengthening their Resilience to Climate Change’, which began in February 2022.

JICA has been a long-time supporter of PICRC since it was established under the JICA grant in 2000, providing various grants through the Government of Japan. The current project aims to strengthen Palau’s coastal ecosystems against climate change and environmental threats. It focuses on four key areas: integrated coastal ecosystem management, mangrove ecosystem monitoring, soil runoff and sedimentation control, and public awareness and education.

As part of the project, JICA donated a 33-foot research boat in November 2022 to support activities like mangrove and sedimentation monitoring. While the boat has been critical for research, the need for a boat trailer to ensure the boat’s regular maintenance and safety became apparent after two years of implementation. Additionally, the boat’s original canopy was deteriorating and posed safety risks. To resolve these issues, JICA procured a new boat trailer and a properly fitted canopy with safety rails, all of which were recently handed over to PICRC.

As the project nears completion in February 2025, PICRC remains committed to advancing initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of Palau’s environment, communities, and livelihoods. “This handover means a lot to PICRC,” said Caryn Lkong Koshiba, Interim CEO. “We are grateful for this donation and JICA’s continued support, which helps Palau build its resilience to climate change. The upgraded boat will enhance our research capacity, allowing us to carry more researchers and equipment on each trip, which means we can accomplish more.”