PacIOOS in Palau: Empowering Users and Steering the Future
PacIOOS in Palau: Empowering Users and Steering the Future
Posted August 29, 2025Above: Elchung Hideyos (Palau Community College Cooperative Research & Extension) presented on her work to understand the impacts of salt water inundation on traditional Palauan agriculture. Credit: PacIOOS.
From July 31 to August 1, Palau hosted a special gathering of the PacIOOS Executive Committee, alongside local partner agencies and community user groups. Coordinated by Palau’s dedicated PacIOOS liaisons, Gerda Ucharm and Sharon Patris, as well as Governing Council member Erbai (Xavier) E. Matsutaro and the Palau Office of Climate Change, the engaging two-day event focused on empowering residents and organizations to make use of freely available ocean data. Attendees were guided through each stage—learning how to locate oceanographic data from buoys and sensors; how to interpret real-world measurements to gain insights into ocean conditions; and how to create customized charts using user-friendly online PacIOOS tools. By blending hands-on activities with targeted instruction, the event demonstrated technical datasets and tools while fostering a deeper appreciation for how accessible ocean data can serve and strengthen the Palauan community.
On the afternoon of July 31, the Executive Committee members—including Sharon, Gerda, and Xavier—embarked on a series of site visits. The journey began at Jellyfish Lake, where they observed the ongoing research and conservation efforts led by the Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF). Afterward, the group proceeded to Ngermaus Beach, a promising site for future spotter buoys. The final stop of the day was Cemetery Reef, where the group snorkeled and immersed themselves in the natural beauty of Palau’s marine environment.
Visit to Jellyfish Lake with the Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF). Credit: PacIOOS.
The following afternoon, the team continued their explorations on Babeldaob. They toured the Palau Community College (PCC) Cooperative Research & Extension (CRE) facility in Ngeremlengui, learning about the current projects, including the propagation of numerous taro varieties for enhancing local food security. Their visit concluded in Ngiwal, where they examined mangrove ecosystems and potential flood-prone zones—discussions that were tied to existing inundation maps for the state.
Written by Gerda Ucharm, PacIOOS Palau Liaison and Research Biologist with the Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF).
