(Koksai, Ngatpang) The Dmakeiukl Alliance is conducting a series of community awareness meetings across its states to update local residents on ongoing conservation programs and activities. The latest meeting was held in Koksai, Ngatpang, on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and is the third such meeting this year. These gatherings are a vital part of the Dmakeiukl States’ conservation initiatives, helping to build the capacity of Rangers, Conservation Officers, and PAN Coordinators, who have received training in facilitating community meetings and managing conservation projects.

The meeting in Ngatpang brought together community members from the four Dmakeiukl states. Governor Jersey Iyar opened the event, welcoming participants and setting the stage for discussions on ongoing conservation work. PAN Coordinator Reva Ilemelong then introduced the rangers from Dmakeiukl and provided an overview of the three key conservation sites in Ngatpang: Oruaol Ibuchel, Olterukl, and Iuul.

At the Oruaol Ibuchel conservation site, efforts to protect sea cucumbers and mangrove crabs have made significant progress. A key success has been the reduction in crown of thorns starfish, which were a major threat to coral reefs in the area. Since 2018, community members have actively removed the starfish, allowing coral reefs and marine life to recover and thrive.

The Olterukl conservation site, which focuses on sea cucumbers, macroinvertebrates, and fish species, faces challenges from sediment deposits that threaten marine life. However, community science observations have aligned with scientific findings from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), helping to inform conservation strategies in the area.

The Iuul conservation site, while not monitored by PICRC, continues to play an essential role in protecting marine life in Ngatpang. Community efforts remain key to maintaining this vital conservation area.

The meeting also featured the Ngatpang Women’s Group Sea Cucumber Project. This initiative, launched in partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), involves the purchase and planting of 150 sea cucumbers at the Olterukl conservation site. TTM’s Sea Cucumber Farm Project, which operates in two cages at Olterukl, is the first of its kind in Palau. Monthly monitoring of the project has led to improvements in equipment and cage setup, helping to enhance the growth of the sea cucumbers. Despite challenges from sediment in the area, the women’s group continues to push forward with solutions to protect these marine species.

Chief Rebelkuul Felix Osilek praised the women for their dedication to conservation and pledged support for their efforts. Other traditional leaders also contributed ideas for future conservation initiatives. Governor Iyar concluded the meeting by calling for continued collaboration and unity among the community and its partners in protecting Ngatpang’s natural resources.

The next community meeting in the Dmakeiukl States will be held in Aimeliik in December 2024.

These community meetings are part of a broader initiative supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and funded by the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs and the Pacific BioScapes Programme. The U.S. Office of Insular Affairs grant supports women-led conservation efforts aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly on women’s fisheries. The Pacific BioScapes Programme, funded by the European Union, is managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and supports sustainable development and conservation efforts in 11 Pacific Island countries.

For more information, visit www.sprep.org/bioscapes.