A group of prominent marine environmental experts recently committed to working with government leaders of Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islandson coral conservation. The group pledged to provide their expertise in natural and social science, engineering, economics, and law to provide scientific and technical assistance to managers and policy makers. This will, in turn, build much needed capacity in a region that hosts the most diverse coral reefs.
The effort, led by Professor Robert Richmond at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Director of the Kewalo Marine Laboratory, models an NCCOS supported groundbreaking project linking science with management in the region.
Noah Idechong, former Speaker of the Palau National Congress and Senior Advisor to the Palau Ministry of Natural Resources, announced the agreement at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium held June 19-24 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The experts met with Island leaders during the symposium and pledged in response to the leaders' official call to action to restore and protect these sensitive ecosystems.
For more information, contact Felix Martinez.