PICRC and Toba Aquarium Renew Their Friendship and Cooperation Agreement

The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) recently welcomed its partners from Toba Aquarium, one of Japan’s leading aquariums, to renew the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions in research, education, and aquarium exhibition and husbandry.

In line with its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and public understanding of marine ecosystems, PICRC prioritizes collaboration with local and international partners that foster mutual support, knowledge exchange, and institutional growth. As part of these efforts, the Center hosted a ceremony on May 8 to renew its collaboration with Toba Aquarium, welcoming Toba Aquarium Director Yoshihito Wakai and other members of the team to celebrate nearly a decade of partnership and sign a new Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation, building on the original agreement established in 2017.

The Toba Aquarium delegation was joined by Mie Prefecture Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi and members of his administration, as well as the Ambassador of Japan to Palau, Mr. Kenichi Kasahara.

The partnership between PICRC and Toba Aquarium forms part of the broader friendship between Mie Prefecture and the Republic of Palau, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The longstanding relationship was further commemorated through the signing of a Friendship Memorandum of Understanding and several anniversary events held in May, including a cultural exchange ceremony at Palau High School, the sister school of Mie Prefecture Fisheries High School.

During the ceremony, Governor Ichimi presented PICRC Acting Chief Executive Officer Caryn Lkong Koshiba with a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of the Center’s contribution to strengthening the relationship between Mie Prefecture and the Republic of Palau.

More recently, PICRC also welcomed Toba Aquarium Executive General Manager Shinya Mitani, accompanied by members of the aquarium’s research and aquaculture teams. In addition to joining PICRC Chief Executive Officer Roxanne Siual Blessam in signing the renewed Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation, the delegation accompanied PICRC aquarists in collecting several specimens of nautilus (kedarm). These ancient mollusks, belonging to the same group as octopuses, cuttlefish, and squids, are represented by at least seven living species worldwide. Nautilus belauensis, the only species found in Palau, is endemic to the country.

As part of the collaboration between the two aquariums, the collected Nautilus belauensis specimens will become part of Toba Aquarium’s collection, where the species has been exhibited since 1978. Beyond exhibition, the aquarium has long been involved in nautilus research and captive breeding, successfully hatching a Nautilus belauensis in 2025 that has now survived for more than 450 days. Toba Aquarium also holds the world record for the longest-lived chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) in captivity, with a female that lived for more than six years.

PICRC extends its sincere appreciation to Mie Prefecture and its partners at Toba Aquarium for their visit and their renewed commitment to collaboration. The Center looks forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership in support of scientific knowledge, public understanding of marine ecosystems, and ocean conservation.