Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment

With support from the Asian Development Bank, Marine Spatial Planning played a key role in facilitating the development of this strategy.

We would also like to acknowledge our partners at Bureau of Tourism and MHRCTD.

Palau Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2025 - 2028 - Ministry of HRCTD Welcome to a new chapter in Palau’s journey—a bold and united vision to protect what makes our islands sacred, while inviting the world..

Minister Victor attended Fisheries Knowledge Exchange in Reykjavik, Iceland on June 18-20, 2025. The exchange was made possible through the government of Iceland and World Bank's Problue program. The program support's the sustainable and integrated development of marine resources for economic growth, and improved livelihoods while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. The exchange included Fisheries Development and Resources management, Integration of Fisheries Sector into the Economy, Understanding the Roles of the Public and Private Sector, and the Ancillary Services and Investments that are catalyst for growth.

The Minister noted that there is so much to learn from Iceland, an island country that does not have many natural resources, limited human resource, and home to some of the most active volcanoes and earthquakes was able to make tough decisions, took control of their fisheries, and changed its course from one of the poorest countries in Europe to being one that is economically thriving, and how taking care of their people is at the heart of their industry.

🎉🏀 Big congratulations to Ikkah for earning a scholarship to join the Women in Basketball Media Operations Program! 🎥✨

Out of applicants from across the Pacific, Ikkah has been selected to take part in this prestigious training opportunity focused on media and sports coverage. Supported by ABC International Development and the Women in News and Sport (WINS) program, this scholarship will help her grow her skills, gain mentorship, and represent Palau on the regional stage.

We’re proud of you, Ikkah!! Keep shining! 🌟

🎯⚾ Let’s cheer on our amazing team from MAFE for Mini Games! Kyarii Kazuma will be representing us in archery, while Veronica “Cblue” Mesebeluu takes the field in fast pitch! And a big shoutout to Keith Osima Inawo and Peasley Ngiraibakes, who will be serving as officials. Best of luck to all. We’re proud of you! 💪🎉

Good morning everyone! We’re happy to announce that the National Slaughterhouse has been successfully repaired and is now ready for operation. Thank you for your patience and support as we worked to restore this essential service. 🐖✅

Shaping Future-Ready Ocean Leaders!

On June 12, 2025, the UNOC Side Event, "Empowering Youth for a Digital Ocean," organized by Taiwan ICDF & STUF United Funds, highlighted empowering youth in marine resource management.

Hon. Minister Steven Victor shared the nation's efforts: employing, engaging, and involving youth in building their future. Key takeaways: "Youth shouldn't be the conversation, they should be part of it." Plus, advice to "fail fast and learn quickly," and "be humble and be who you are."

June 10, 2025 5:45pm at Nice, France.

Kyarii Kazuma took part as a panelist in a side event co-hosted by SPREP & OPOC titled “Delivering the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent: Partnerships, Leadership
and Action for a Thriving Ocean.” She was given an opportunity to share - Palau’s Leadership on MPAs and Spatial Planning, Active Role in the Micronesia Challenge and Palau’s Contributions to 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.

June 10, Nice, France

The Hon. Minister Victor was a panelist on the UNOC3 side event: “On the Road to Climate-Resilient Fisheries: Pacific Island Countries’ Efforts for Sustainability and Resilience in the World’s Largest Fisheries” hosted by the Government of Niue and the FFA.

🌊 Palau takes a bold step for ocean sustainability! 🇵🇼
We’ve joined the Tuna Transparency Pledge, committing to full on-the-water monitoring of all industrial fishing vessels by 2027. Because you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Together, let’s make the Pacific the gold standard for responsible, transparent tuna fisheries. 🐟🌍

🌊 Minister Steven Victor on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum at the Ocean Action Panel 3: Mobilizing finance for ocean actions in support of SDG 14.
June 10, 2025. Nice, France.

Minister Steven Victor and the Palau delegation at the UN Oceans Conference in France — calling on the global community to unlock ocean prosperity and invest in the future of the Blue Pacific Continent. “We are not only custodians of this vast ocean—we are champions of its protection. Let us leave this beautiful place with concrete partnerships, mobilised capital, and a shared commitment to results.”

Carl Haruo, who has been a dedicated Fisheries Technician I with us for over five years, and Seth Techitong, our committed Blue Economy Project Coordinator, are both moving on from the Ministry. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and wish them all the best in their next chapters!

Also please join us in welcoming our new Coastal Fisheries Officer, Ashton Kinto. Ashton is excited to support the Bureau of Fisheries in protecting Palau’s marine resources. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his contributions on his new journey with MAFE.

WORLD OCEANS DAY‼️ To celebrate, we will have a new episode on our podcast COMING SOON. A Kim a Sechelim‼️ Fascinating and vital! In our upcoming episode, we’re diving deep into how we raise them right here in our office tanks, what’s involved in surveying clam farms around the islands, and how the public can access these clams for consumption or export. Plus, why they matter so much for our reefs and culture. Stay tuned!