On November 23, 2024, members of the Palau Pledge Dive Club and the Palau High School Sports Club gathered for a Beach Clean-up and Dive Event to promote sustainability and ocean conservation. Supported by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, this event was part of CNN’s global Call to Earth Initiative, showcasing the importance of collective action in protecting our oceans and raising awareness about environmental issues.
The day began with a beach-up at Ngeanges Island, located in the Rock Island Southern Lagoon, where the young Palauans worked together to remove debris from the beach. While Palau is blessed with pristine beauty, the persistent challenge of trash washing up on shores remains evident. Despite the incredible efforts of the Koror State Government Department of Conservation & Law Enforcement, it is clear that more collective action is needed to combat the ongoing tide of waste. The event served as a reminder of the importance of “Tekoi el Beluu,” a call for unity in preserving Palau’s environment for future generations.
After the clean-up, participants set off on an exciting dive and snorkel adventure at the German Channel, one of Palau’s most iconic dive spots. They were thrilled to encounter five manta rays gracefully gliding through the crystal-clear waters, a sight that truly highlighted the need to protect Palau’s vibrant marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The group then snorkeled at the Cemetery, famous for its stunning coral gardens, where they discovered a wealth of underwater life, including various squid species and the gentle Maml. Under the guidance of Palau’s expert dive instructors, Captain Clayton and IB Misech from MECO Marine, the young Palauans experienced the beauty of the underwater world firsthand. They also learned about the significant challenges this ecosystem faces, such as pollution and the impact of increasing visitor numbers as Palau continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This event highlighted the critical need for continued efforts in ocean conservation and environmental protection.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Embassy of France for their invaluable support, as well as to the Palau Pledge Dive Club, Palau High School Sports Club, NECO Marine, Palau Conservation Society, and the KSG Solid Waste Management Office. Their combined efforts are instrumental in protecting Palau’s environment. Most importantly, we extend our gratitude to the Palauan youth for their unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and for inspiring their peers and the wider community to engage in conservation efforts.