The “Kim er Belau” campaign, which began about a year ago, has raised awareness of the plight of the species of giant clams in Palau – some of which are indigenous to Palau. The campaign, through its educational awareness programs, has spurred communities to develop conservation management activities focused directly on proliferating giant clams and has prompted individuals to be more conscious of the activities they engage in that might effect the survival of the giant clams – inclusive of reduction of harvesting of giant clams.
Last month, the people of Melekeok State, through correlated efforts with the “Kim er Belau” campaign, Palau Conservation Society, and the Palau Bureau of Marine Resources, were able to plant more than 3000 seedlings of giant clams in Medal Ngerang Management Area, Melekeok. The clams were spawned at the Bureau of Marine Resources and raised to about six-inches in length prior to being planted in the management area. This marks the second time in less than a year that giant clams are re-planted in the management area.Special recognition is accorded to Leon Remengesau of the Palau Bureau of Marine Resources, Tublai Ililau of “Kim er Belau Campaign, Governor Lazarus Kodep, Melekeok State Legislative Speaker Collin Joseph, and all the individuals who contributed to replenishing Ngerang Management Area. Long live the clams!
