Overview:
Leading oceanographer Eric Wolanski will deliver a public lecture in Palau this Friday, offering new insights into how ocean processes shape the nation’s reefs, fisheries, and coastal ecosystems. Hosted by The Nature Conservancy at the Palau International Coral Reef Center, the talk will highlight decades of research and new modeling that could help guide marine resource management across the islands.
The Nature Conservancy, Micronesia and Polynesia will host a public lecture by Professor Eric Wolanski, a leading oceanographer with decades of research experience in the region, next Friday, April 3, at 9:00 AM. The talk will take place at the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) Kedarm Conference Room, is open to the public, and will explore how ocean processes shape Palau’s reefs, fisheries, and coastal environments.
Professor Wolanski is an Adjunct Professor at James Cook University in Australia and is widely recognized for his contributions to marine science, with over 400 scientific publications. His research focuses on the interactions between ocean physics and marine ecosystems, influencing everything from fish populations to coastal water quality. He has worked across the Pacific and globally and has collaborated with PICRC scientists for more than 20 years. This long-term partnership has helped build knowledge of Palau’s marine systems and support local research capacity.
Yvonne Ueda, Palau Conservation Manager at The Nature Conservancy, Micronesia and Polynesia, emphasized the importance of this work:
“Professor Wolanski’s long-term research and collaboration with Palau have been invaluable. As we strive to manage our marine and coastal resources, the insights and results from this science help guide our decisions and strengthen our ability to protect these ecosystems for future generations.”
During the lecture, he will draw on this work to present new modelling that helps explain how water moves around Palau and how this influences reef health and fisheries. He will begin by explaining large-scale ocean processes that influence how fish, such as groupers (tiau), move and connect between reefs across Micronesia. He will then focus on Palau, looking at ocean processes such as internal waves, how fish larvae move from key spawning sites like Ebiil, and how coastal areas along the eastern states are connected.
The session will also explore how land-based activities affect marine ecosystems. Professor Wolanski will discuss how soil runoff enters areas such as Airai Bay and Ngermeduu Bay, and how natural systems like taro fields and mangroves can help reduce these impacts. He will conclude with a look at unique ecosystems such as Nikko Bay and the jellyfish lakes, which function as largely self-contained and highly regulated environments.
Students, practitioners, and community members interested in how science can support the management of Palau’s marine and coastal resources are encouraged to attend.