(TNC) — From June 3-7, staff from The Nature Conservancy Micronesia and Polynesia, and the Palau International Coral Reef Center or PICRC visited Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia to kick off a new collaboration focused on protecting climate-resilient reefs and restoring damaged areas. Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, Coral Resilience Director at TNC Micronesia and Polynesia, Asap Bukurrou, PICRC Aquarium Supervisor, and Dawnette Olsudong, PICRC Coral Restoration Team Leader, met with partners and conducted field assessments to help identify priority sites and plan next steps. The initiative brings together local and regional partners to strengthen reef resilience and support the communities that rely on them.
The program’s main goals are to identify and protect reefs that are naturally better at surviving rising ocean temperatures (known as reef refugia), perform climate-smart coral restoration, and raise awareness about the importance of healthy, resilient reefs. Planned activities include mapping priority reef sites, setting up testing facilities and nurseries for heat-tolerant corals, training community members in restoration techniques, and sharing results with managers, decision-makers, and community groups.
TNC has contracted PICRC to share their expertise in reef restoration, including how to assess potential reef sites for restoration, testing of heat-tolerant corals and growing them in field nurseries. Asap Bukurrou and Dawnette Olsudong carried out field assessments in collaboration with Yap Marine Resources, Yap Community Action Program or YapCAP, and the communities of Gachpar, Riken, Nimpal, and Reey. Together, they surveyed marine areas around Yap Proper and discussed restoration priorities. Dr. Golbuu met with several partners and resource groups to discuss collaborations and partnership to support building resilience of coral reefs in Yap and the communities that rely on them.
This new work in Yap builds on similar efforts already underway in Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Pohnpei, and supports TNC’s broader goal to strengthen reef resilience across Micronesia. Next steps include finalizing a work plan to identify reef refugia, setting up testing and nursery sites, and continuing training and outreach with community members and decision-makers.
The Nature Conservancy Micronesia and Polynesia, and the Palau International Coral Reef Center visited Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia to kick off a new collaboration focused on protecting climate-resilient reefs and restoring damaged areas.
TNC photo
From left, Dr. Yimnang Golbuu, Dawnette Olsudong and Asap Bukurrou.
