KOROR, Palau– The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is firing back against a recent news story accusing the organization of pressuring Palau to weaken its massive marine reserve for financial gain.
In a letter to the editor of Bloomberg published on January 30th, TNC Pacific Division Director Mike Sweeney refuted claims that the organization profited from its involvement in Palau and emphasized its support for the current 80% protection level of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
The controversy stems from a January 18 story alleging that TNC pushed for modifications to the Sanctuary in exchange for a conservation grant and stood to benefit from a separate sustainable tuna venture in the Marshall Islands.
Sweeney vehemently denied these claims, calling them “absurd” and “misleading.” He clarified that the $7.8 million grant, arranged alongside Conservation International and Nia Tero, aimed to bridge the economic gap caused by the pandemic and prevent rollback of protections, not enable unsustainable fishing.
“The story’s description of the conservation grant is misleading,” Sweeney wrote. “The grant agreement was put in place at the government’s request… and was not something that was imposed by The Nature Conservancy or our partners.”
Regarding the Marshall Islands venture, Sweeney stressed it’s a separate project with different markets and goals, and any profits would directly benefit island communities, not TNC. He also addressed concerns about undue influence due to personnel movement between organizations, assuring that TNC works collaboratively and respects Palauan autonomy.
“Our Palauan leaders and colleagues ensure our efforts are born of Pacific Island values, not Western ones,” Sweeney stated.
The letter reiterates TNC’s commitment to supporting Palau’s conservation efforts and highlights the country’s leadership in ocean protection. However, it underscores the need for accurate reporting and emphasizes the complex interplay between conservation and economic development, especially in island nations facing pandemic-induced challenges.
Palau’s government has yet to make a decision on potential modifications to the Sanctuary, and the issue is expected to remain a subject of public debate. (\