In 2013, the Government of Palau finalized the Protected Areas Network Act (RPPL 6-39), which established an ecologically resilient network of 13 marine protected areas (MPAs) throughout Palau’s waters. This network safeguards our marine biodiversity, and provides a framework for collaboration among state governments, national government and management groups.
Every two years, PICRC surveys each MPA, as well as reference sites outside of the protected area network, to measure the network’s impacts. We use these results to make informed management recommendations to state governments.
Our research methods incorporate the latest guidance in MPA network design and aim to increase the network’s productivity, build long-term resilience to climate change, and improve linkages between marine and terrestrial protected areas. We partner with key stakeholder groups at every step in our process to ensure that our MPA recommendations address the needs of all Palauans.