KOROR, Palau — Twenty-seven state rangers from nine states in Palau have completed a two-week training program aimed at enhancing their ability to protect state resources, particularly in managing protected wildlife and fisheries.
The training, focused on monitoring, control, surveillance, and enforcement, was conducted by Te Pātuitanga Ahumoana a Kiwa (Te Patui), a fisheries capacity development program under New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The initiative was delivered in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC), The Nature Conservancy, and WildAid.
“This falls under one of the special Protected Areas Network (PAN) projects called the Enforcement Project, specifically to strengthen the work of rangers, especially filling gaps in their capabilities to enforce state laws,” said Duke Gibson, PAN technical advisor, who coordinated the training with state PAN rangers.
Jeff Dunlop, senior compliance advisor for Te Pātuitanga Ahumoana a Kiwa, said this was the second time the program had been conducted in Palau as part of broader efforts to support Pacific nations in sustainably managing their fisheries.
“We welcome the opportunity to support Palau in their strong leadership of sustainable fisheries,” Dunlop said.
The training equips rangers with essential compliance skills to ensure that resource management rules are followed, benefiting local communities.
“Palau has world-renowned environments, and we can all do our part to know and follow the rules around protected areas to protect wildlife areas and fisheries resources,” Dunlop added. (By: L.N. Reklai)