Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Vision:
"To maintain the spectacular beauty and the abundant and diverse natural, cultural and historical resources of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, so that it can continue to be used and enjoyed by current and future generations of the people of Koror and Palau and remain a central part of our culture and lifestyle, and for the current and future enjoyment of the world."
The Rock Island Southern Lagoon (RISL) is an extremely important area for Palau, supporting biodiversity, fisheries, tourism and cultural values. Within the RISL are two PAN sites, Ngerumkaol and Ngerukuid. The area has been recognized as having outstanding global value, through the 2012 inscription as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site. The RISL includes 52 marine lakes, one of the most unique habitats in the world, the site is home to all the major megafauna:
- over 746 species of fish
- over 385 corals
- 13 species of sharks and manta rays
- 7 species of giant clams
- and all the endemic birds and over half the endemic plants of Palau
Culturally it is an outstanding example of human interaction in a precarious environment. It is the vision of this Management Plan to maintain these abundant and diverse natural, cultural and historical resources, so they can continue to be used and enjoyed by the community, and so that these values remain strong into the future. The area is an internationally renowned tourist destination, and as such underpins the nation’s economy. It is important that the people of Palau benefit from the revenue generated from such use of the area, and that all management is designed with the community in mind.
Objective
To provide for the sustainable use and conservation of the natural, cultural and historical resources of the Rock Island Southern Lagoon. Five goals to achieve this overarching goal are:
- Maintain the full range and richness of biological diversity, species habitats, ecological processes and high environmental quality of the RISL
- Subsistence and commercial fishing and other extractive activities in the RISL are environmentally and economically sustainable and culturally compatible, and provide continued benefits to the people of Koror and Palau
- Nurture and sustain Palauan culture by preserving and maintaining the landscapes, artifacts and oral traditions associated with the stonework village sites in the RISL, and preserve Koror’s historical sites
- High quality tourism and recreational activities in the RISL are environmentally and economically sustainable, culturally compatible and provide benefits to the people of Koror and Palau
- Improve the institutional capacity of Koror State Government to effectively manage the RISL, focusing on strengthening regulatory frameworks, enforcement and surveillance, and building relationships and communication with key organizations and stakeholders relevant to the implementation of activities
Resources: Koror State Government. 2012. Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Management Plan 2012-2016 | Olkeriil, Ilebrang 2012. The Rock Island Southern Lagoon as nominated by the Republic of Palau for inscription on the World Heritage List, Koror State Government.
