NATIONAL LEVEL ANNUAL REPORT
TO THE
OCEANIC FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PROJECT
REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE (OFM RSC)
Reporting Period, October 2007 ­ June 2008



1. Country: PALAU


2. Project Title: Oceanic Fisheries Management: Implementation of the
Strategic Action Programme of the Pacific SIDs (Pacific SAP II)


3. Period Covered: 1 October 2007 ­ 30 June 2008


4. Summary of Overall Project Progress
· Regional and Sub-regional and workshops were held during this period
where Palau was able to participate in building its capacity on issues
relating to its obligations and commitments to the Western & Central
Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in the areas of Stock Assessments
(2nd SA) and Management Options. Again, Palau is appreciative and
satisfied with the outcome of these workshops. In terms of awareness and
capacity building issues, Palau was able to expand its cooperative efforts to
include agencies involved in fisheries related activities to attend and gather
exposure of the numerous measures and obligations required under the
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

5. Specific Outputs/Results Achieved (as per annual work-plan):

National level activities

· An Assistant National Tuna Data Coordinator (local) was recruited in
November 2006 through the SPC-OFP with funding arrangements of up 2-
4 years. Funding for this position has continued to date.
· A computer set and xerox/fax was purchased and installed to assist the
Assistant National Tuna Data Coordinator and is currently being utilized
resulting in improvement of data collection and submittal to the SPC.

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· An 2nd EAFM Stakeholders Consultation was held in Palau (May 2008) to
further review the existing Palau National Tuna Management Plan.
Finalization of this report is currently being undertaken with the assistance
of SPC-OFP and the FFA.

Regional level activities

· 2nd Tuna Data Monitoring Workshop held in Noumea, April 2008.
· 11th MCS WG Workshop held in Honiara, April 2008;
· Workshop on the Implementation of International Fisheries Instruments in
the Western and Central Pacific Region held in Nadi, April 2008;
· North Pacific Sub-Regional Workshop on WCPFC issues held in Tarawa,
Kiribati in June 2008;
· Several other workshops and/or meetings were held during this period, but
Palau was not able to send a participant.

6. Challenges/Issues Encountered
· Ms. Barbara Hanchard, Project Coordinator, was able to do a national
visit to Palau in early 2008 where she met with the National Focal Point
and the Operational Focal Points for the Palau-GEF. This meeting was
successful and relevant information was obtained from Ms. Hanchard as
well as exchanges of views and information. Relevant contacts were
established which now enables direct and indirect correspondences.

7. Solutions Applied (to address issues and challenges)

· The GEF National Focal Point for Palau is currently tasked with other
duties which may seem to be a burden at times, but attempts to monitor
projects has been established on line through the FFA/GEF website and
newsletters, by Ms. Hanchard and her team, which now makes it easier to
be kept updated.

9. Recommendations for Future Action

· I also believe that national focal points should to meet at least once a year
(exclusive of the RSC) prior to the RSC to effectively develop and plan the
needs and priorities of each country.


10. Report Prepared By:
NANNETTE D. MALSOL, National (OFM Project) Focal Point.


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