Known as the jewel of Micronesia, Palau is an isolated group of 300+ pristine limestone islands located in the Western Pacific. Palau has long been a leader in protecting their flourishing yet fragile ocean environment from development and exploitation. Safeguarding their ocean is deeply rooted in Palau’s history and culture. For centuries, traditional leaders in Palau have worked to protect local waters through enactment of a “bul”— closures on fishing or catching certain species to allow marine life to regenerate and ensure habitats that are critical to the community’s food security are healthy in the long term. 

 

The Waitt Institute partnered with One Reef and Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s 100 Island Challenge to conduct a scientific expedition to learn about Palau’s reef health and resilience.

​

This expedition was conducted under strict COVID-19 protocol to keep the scientists and surrounding local communities safe.