PICRC and partners to conduct surveys in November and December in States of Koror and Airai

In November and December, research staff from Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and various Koror State and Airai State surveyors will be conducting a socio-economic surveys about coral reefs in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (RISL). The main purpose of this survey is to gauge the public’s opinions on the coral reefs in the RISL, which is a UNESCO designated Natural Heritage Site.

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This socio-economic research is one of the research project being conducted as part of the Palau Coral Reef Island Ecosystem (P-CoRIE), a collaborative research program among PICRC, University of the Ryukyus and Palau Community College. This is an ongoing project of 5 years that started in 2013. The project is funded by JICA and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The ultimate goal of P-CoRIE project is to conduct research that lead to information and recommendations for sustainable management of coral reefs in Palau.

The respondents of the survey will remain anonymous and the results of the survey will be presented to the community through a presentation at the end of the project year. Your participation in this survey is highly appreciated and encouraged. Your opinions matter and the results of the survey will inform how to best approach positive conservation methods that work for everyone involved in the use of the RISL.

For any questions regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Lincy Marino, PICRC researcher, or Ms. Vallin Kloulchad, research assistant, at 488-6590. [/restrict]