Representatives of the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) who have been trained to develop CAP, in collaborative effort with The Nature Conservancy, Palau Conservation Society, and selected expert individuals, were invited to the state to present the CAP process.
According to state officials, the request was made in an effort to push forth work on the development and implementation of a conservation management plan for the Northern Reefs.The Northern Reefs encompasses all of the marine areas within the jurisdiction of Ngarchelong State and extents to all of the marine areas governed by Kayangel State.Ngarchelong State traditional and elected leaders initiated a movement – based on scientific research studies conducted by non-government organizations (including PIRCRC and its affiliated worldwide organizations) and testimonies of concerned residents and citizens – to protect the Northern Reefs was initiated. The traditional and elected leaders held a summit in May 2008, which resulted in a call and legislation for the development and implementation of a management plan for the Northern Reefs.According to state officials, work on the development of the management plan nearly came to a halt as a result of the 2008 election campaigns, which picked up pace soon after the summit. Further, most of the people – including the traditional and elected leaders of the state – were involved in the campaign activities; and that nearly everyone was focused on the campaigns.The officials further added that the “election fever is over” and “just about everything is returning back to normal.” Moreover, work on the development of a management plan that would ensure that the Northern Reefs is conserved and protected has picked up speed.“We are urgently, but not carelessly, pushing things forward to see the plan created and implemented,” said an assemblyman. “The longer we wait, the greater the risk that must of the Northern Reefs will be disturbed – if not destroyed.”The Ngarchelong State Northern Reefs planning team is due to develop a workable management plan.
