September 23, 2026
Palau—Representatives of coral reef research and conservation organizations visited Palau’s coral nursery, marine lakes, and protected reefs on August 30 to learn about local restoration efforts and research into how corals respond to climate change.
According to a press release from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), the center hosted representatives of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Coral Reef Research Foundation ahead of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The delegation included Great Barrier Reef Foundation Executive Director Theresa Fyffe and Dr. Kalara McGregor; Australian Institute of Marine Science CEO Professor Selina Stead, Dr. Manuel Gonzalez Rivero, and Amanda Brigdale; and the Coral Reef Research Foundation’s Gerda Ucharm.
PICRC CEO Roxanne Siual Blesam, Director Caryn Lkong Koshiba, and other center staff joined the visitors.
The tour began at PICRC, where Board Chair Surech Bells and staff welcomed the delegation. Guests toured the Palau Aquarium and research tanks, with Asap Bukurrou providing an overview of the facilities and ongoing work.
At Ucheliungs reef, the group visited a coral nursery that PICRC developed and manages in collaboration with Newcastle University’s CORALASSIST team. Palau Aquarium researcher Dr. Cinzia Alessi explained the nursery’s activities, and participants discussed restoration approaches to support reefs as the climate changes.
The delegation then visited Ngermid Bay for a snorkeling session and an introduction to its role as a natural laboratory for studying coral responses and adaptation to climate change. Alessi and Bukurrou discussed research in the bay and how findings from Palau’s reefs can contribute to a broader understanding of coral resilience.
At Jellyfish Lake, Ucharm led the visit and explained the ecological importance of Palau’s marine lake systems and the distinctive environments they support.
The final stop was the Ngerumekaol Marine Protected Area, which includes Ulong Channel. Alessi and Bukurrou discussed the site’s conservation significance before the visitors entered the water to observe its reef ecosystem.
“Visits like this provide an important opportunity to connect international expertise with the research and conservation work taking place here in Palau,” Blesam said in the release. “Palau offers an exceptional living laboratory for understanding coral reef resilience, and partnerships such as these help strengthen our collective ability to respond to the challenges facing coral reefs around the world.”
PICRC said the visit gave participating institutions an opportunity to exchange knowledge about coral research, restoration, and marine conservation. The center plans to continue developing partnerships to support research and the long-term protection of Palau’s marine ecosystems.
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