Oceans 5 Consults With Palau For Possible Marine Sanctuary Grant

President Remengesau’s administration is steadily moving forward in securing funding to support the Palau National Marine Sanctuary initiative.

This past Wednesday during the administration’s weekly press conference, Umiich Sengebau Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism discussed the work being done with a non-profit organization called Oceans 5. Minister Sengebau disclosed that Palau recently submitted a concept proposal for a grant through this organization. This proposal if approved would provide a temporary funding stream for the transition period of the initiative.
In response to Palau’s proposal two representatives from the organization conducted consultations with various agencies including the Olbiil Era Kelulau. As explained by Chuck Fox, Oceans 5 Program Director, the organization will be evaluating on the potential grant support for Palau. He said Palau’s proposal is “very thorough and well designed with economic benefits”. The nature of evaluation, he explains, includes the assessment of priority challenges for the Marine Sanctuary including poaching and enforcement – the biggest challenges in implementing this initiative.
When asked about the amount of the grant, Fox simply said, “we don’t know yet” adding, we will be responsive as we can for the needs of the community.
Following Oceans 5’s consultation, an evaluation will be submitted to the organization’s board in the spring.
The organization is an international funders’ collaborative comprised of new and experienced philanthropists including the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation who share similar dedications to protect the world’s oceans. Oceans 5 currently funds a number of ocean conservation-related initiatives in the Pacific including the Cook Islands Shark Sanctuary.