- Research
New PICRC Report Explores Public Perceptions of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary
The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) has released a new report examining public perceptions and attitudes toward the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), one of the world’s largest marine protected areas.
The PNMS safeguards 80% of Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone—covering nearly 500,000 km² of open ocean. Unlike nearshore protected areas within the Palau Protected Areas Network, which conserve coral reefs and seagrass habitats, the PNMS protects offshore ecosystems that are home to pelagic species such as tuna, wahoo, and marlin.
The report, titled “Understanding the Perceived Human Well-Being Benefits and Values of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary: A Nationwide Study,” presents findings from 1,277 household surveys conducted across all 16 states of Palau between October 2022 and November 2024. The study aimed to understand residents’ awareness, attitudes, and perceptions of the PNMS—along with their views on its benefits, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
Overall, the assessment found that over 70% of residents express some level of support for the PNMS. However, the study also revealed key knowledge gaps and misperceptions about the Sanctuary’s objectives and management. A majority of the respondents voiced concerns about the rising cost and limited availability of offshore pelagic fish.
Based on these findings, the report recommends installing Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in each state to improve access to offshore pelagic fish; reducing the cost of pelagic fish to make it more affordable for local communities; expanding community outreach and education about the PNMS to deepen public understanding of its boundaries and objectives; and conducting follow-up studies to assess the effectiveness and long-term impact of these measures.
“Understanding how our communities perceive the PNMS is essential for improving how we manage it,” said Geraldine Rengiil, PICRC Research Director. “This study gives us valuable insight into what community members think and feel about the Sanctuary. By listening to these voices, we can make sure that the PNMS continues to support both our ocean’s health and the well-being of our people.”
PICRC would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for taking part in this important survey.