Coral Reef Research Foundation

Palau’s Ancient Earthworks: OBLALLANG

The ancient terraces (oblallang) on the island of Babeldaob, in Palau, can be seen under the thick tropical vegetation using the lasar technology called LiDAR. The dense tree canopy is removed to show the vast extent and massive size of the island’s unique earth architecture. These terraces date back to 2,000 years ago, were the basis of their sophisticated socio-political system, and are still standing today.

This work was funded by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. Awarded to archaeologist Dr. Jolie Liston and the Coral Reef Research Foundation, the project aims to help preserve Palau’s heritage displayed in its earthwork landscape for future generations.

MARINE INVERTEBRATE & INVASIVE SPECIES WORKSHOP: NGIWAL, MELEKEOK, AIRAI AND HATOHOBEI

CRRF recently completed a workshop on marine invasive species in Ngiwal State from July 3–5, 2024. Six state rangers and three PAN coordinators from Ngiwal, Melekeok, Airai and Hatohobei State participated in the 3 day workshop. Like the last 3 workshops, participants learned about:
• marine invertebrate groups, sea grass and algae;
• risks and pathways of marine invasive species; and
• marine non-native species currently found in Palau.
Along with morning lecture sessions, participants explored Ngiwal State waters near the dock and along the channel, documenting common marine organisms found in reefs and seagrass beds. Participants also dried and pressed algae samples, documenting the variety of algae found in the area.
CRRF thanks PAN coordinators Willa Wong and Dearlyn Rebluud for their help in organizing the workshop. We also thank the participants in making this a successful workshop.

The training workshop was funded by the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs.

MARINE INVERTEBRATE & INVASIVE SPECIES WORKSHOP: DMAKEIUKL STATES

CRRF held a training workshop with Dmakeiukl States (Aimeliik, Ngatpang, Ngeremelengui and Ngardmau) in Ngeremlengui State from May 28–30, 2024. Thirteen state rangers, conservation officers and a PAN coordinator learned about:
• marine invertebrate groups, sea grass and algae;
• risks and pathways of marine invasive species; and
• marine non-native species currently found in Palau.
Along with morning lecture sessions, participants explored four sites within Ngeremlengui State waters, documenting common marine organisms found in reefs and seagrass beds.
CRRF thanks Ngeremlengui Governor Mary Frances Remengesau, and Ngeremlengui PAN coordinator Katsumi Abia, for their help in organizing the workshop. We also thank Yvonne Ueda of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for help in coordinating with the other Dmakeiukl States.
The training workshop was funded by the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs.

REMEMBERING BILL HAMNER
We remember our friend and colleague, Bill Hamner, who brought Palau's Jellyfish Lake to the world's attention through the first scientific work and his popular article in a 1982 National Geographic, plus the 1995 IMAX documentary, The Living Sea.
Sadly, Bill passed away unexpectedly in June.

https://islandtimes.org/we-remember-pioneering-jellyfish-lake-scientist/

INVASIVE SPECIES PORT SURVEY TRAINING

CRRF conducted a 3 day training workshop (May 22-24) to detect the presence of non-native species through quadrat and transect sampling. Seven participants from the Division of Biosecurity, Bureau of Environment and Island Conservation joined, who had also taken part in the Marine Invertebrate & Non-Native Species workshop that CRRF held in September 2023. Participants learned how to measure environmental parameters using a YSI water quality meter, collect zooplankton, and collect and sort marine samples of invertebrates and algae. Through this training session, we collected 28 marine samples, including sponges, sea squirts, sea anemones and algae. After a successful 3 day workshop, the team is ready to conduct the baseline non-native species survey at the Malakal Commercial Sea Port in June! The training workshop was funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs.

Office of Insular Affairs

CRRF contributes to Palau's archaeology!

Unveiling Palau’s Ancient Wonder: Lidar Uncovers Immense Scale of Terraced Landscape

https://islandtimes.org/unveiling-palaus-ancient-wonder-lidar-uncovers-immense-scale-of-terraced-landscape/

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WE HAVE A COOL😎 JOB FOR YOU!🤩
Join the research team at CRRF, home of the jellyfish wall on Malakal, for a cool job in science, studying Jellyfish Lake and lots of other unique underwater sites in Palau!🦑🐠🤿🐙🐟 Call 📞 or message📧 with ❓questions⁉️ 488-5255/[email protected]