Sustainable Ocean Economies
As countries around the world establish marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect marine biodiversity, they must determine how best to integrate those MPAs into their development goals. We are developing approaches and tools to support the small island developing states of the Pacific in their efforts to integrate development and conservation.
In Palau, at the request of the President, we have been working with the Palau International Coral Reef Center and a team of Palauan and international experts to develop analyses and options for implementation of legislation that protects 80% of its Exclusive Economic Zone as a marine sanctuary, while achieving its economic development and food security goals. COS co-directors Micheli and Leape presented the report to the President of Palau and to a meeting of the full national leadership – ministers, governors and members of Congress – as well as other stakeholder groups in Palau. We are continuing to provide ongoing support to strengthen marine resource management.
Learn more about our work with the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
Learn more about our work on marine protection in Palau.
Learn more about our work with the Micronesia Challenge.
Learn more about our work with Environmental DNA.
Learn more about our work on Data Management and Visualization training materials.
Related News & Media
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Provisioning during the COVID-19 pandemic: How rural Pacific Island communities maintained food security
A Stanford-led study highlights that local food production and traditional practices are key to resilience.
January 25, 2022
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March 05, 2021
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Q&A with Fiorenza Micheli: Monitoring human rights in the seafood sector
A group of scientists has urged marine scientists to focus attention on social issues in the seafood sector, in addition to advocating for sustainable practices.
June 15, 2018
Related Publications
- Ferguson, C. (2022). Local practices and production confer resilience to rural Pacific food systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marine Policy, 137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.104954
- Lewis, S., & et al, . (2020). Conservation policies informed by food system feedbacks can avoid unintended consequences. Nature Food, 1(12), 783-786. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00192-7
- Dacks, R., Lewis, S., James, P., Marino, L., & Oleson, K. (2020). Documenting baseline value chains of Palau’s nearshore and offshore fisheries prior to implementing a large-scale marine protected area. Marine Policy , 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103754
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