The Northern Reefs have high biodiversity. During the recent REA, a total of 338 confirmed species of hard coral were recorded and an additional 41 taxa remain to be confirmed (Turak and DeVantier 2009). In addition, a total number of 520 taxa of reef-associated fish were recorded (Musburger 2009). Verheij and Prud’homme van Reine (2009) recorded 9 species of seagrasses and 163 taxa of algae of which 68 taxa are new records for Palau. Dr. Alan Olsen recorded on one of the small islands north of Ngarchelong State 21 bird species, of which 7 are endemics. During the REA, signs of overfishing and illegal fishing of sharks were observed and the proposed project will address these issues. In addition, the REA also concluded that many of the reefs in the Northern Reefs area are showing resilience to climate change, which the proposed project will enhance.
The Northern Reefs area includes a large number of marine habitat types, including seagrass beds, algal flats, barrier reefs, fringing reefs, patch reefs, atolls, sunken atoll, lagoon areas, small sand spits/islands, and small volcanic rock islands.

The recently completed first iteration of the Conservation Action Planning (CAP) for Ngarchelong state identified the following major threats for the area: overfishing from commercial fishing practices and climate change. The proposed activities focus on addressing the threat of overfishing, and while the area has shown in 1998 to be resilient to climate change, the conservation efforts will focus on enhancing the resilience of these reefs. Healthy, resilient reef will contribute to the protection of the low, sand islands of Kayangel, from potential storm damage.

Last but not least, the Northern Reefs are one of the main protein sources for the people of Ngarchelong and Kayangel States. In addition, fish is sold in Koror and therefore is also a protein source for other parts of Palau.

Through the project the health of the ecosystems of the Northern Reefs will be improved and therefore the project will contribute to the sustainable use of the natural resources of the Northern Reefs, the livelihood of the communities of the States of Kayangel and Ngarchelong, and the food security of the area. << Read less

Create new protected area(s) and Strengthen the management of an existing protected area.

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In May 2006, the Protected Areas Network (PAN) office in collaboration with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) produced a nationwide Eco-Regional Assessment (ERA). As part of the EAR, an ecological gap analysis was conducted (report attached). For the Northern Reefs, several marine biodiversity gaps were identified, which were addressed during the March/April 2009 Rapid Ecological Assessment REA coordinated by PICRC and TNC.

In addition, several areas of high biological importance were identified using the MARXAN decision making support tool. These areas include all of the channels and passages, seagrass and algal flats, the atoll of Kayangel and parts of the submerged atoll of Velasco.

The targets situated in Ngarchelong are currently addressed through the German Lifeweb support program? and have already resulted in the drafting of a management plan for the Ebiil channel, one of the grouper aggregation (spawning) sites. As well as implementation of the Northern reefs REA, procurement of equipment for management for Ngarchelong State, and the establishment of the Ngarchelong Northern Reefs management office.

The Northern Reefs area includes most of the marine habitats found in Palau, one of the largest reef areas in Palau, has shown significance resilience to bleaching, and might be an important stepping stone for connectivity to the north, including Yap, Guam etc.

Following the 1998 bleaching event, the Northern Reefs, which were heavily affected by the event, have significantly recovered and many reefs have regained a high coral coverage and a high coral diversity (see also REA report) << Read less

Carbon sequestration is not checked for the area invloved. Coral reefs, seagrass beds and algal flats are known to store carbon. It should be possible to calculate an indicative value if necessary.

The PAN Act provides the mechanism for the National Government to collect a conservation fee of $30, the “Green Fee”, of which $20 is earmark for supporting the PAN.

The PAN legislation also provides the disbursement mechanism for the “Green Fee” and the return from  Palau’s part of the Micronesia Challenge Endowment to the PAN office and PAN sites.

During the project it is envisaged that funding will come online from the Micronesia Challenge and the Palau “Green Fee” and that the responsibility for funding of the recurrent costs will be taken over by the PAN office over the duration of the proposed project (PAN Contribution: y1 0%; y2 25%;y3 50%; afterwards 100%) << Read less

The communities of Kayangel and Ngarchelong states are depending for a part of their proteins on the fish resources of the Northern reefs. They will be the main implementers of the project, including being trained to be part of the enforcement and monitoring teams. In addition, they will be part of the management team of the project.

The 2006 ERA identified a number of ecological gaps in Palau which where not part of any of the existing conservation areas in Palau. most of the areas were within the Northern Reefs area belonging to Ngarchelong and Kayangel States. As part of the management planning process a CAP was conducted for the Ngarchelong part of the NR. A CAP for Kayangel state is proposed as part of the current proposal. The results of the CAPs will provide input in the drafting process of a management plan for the nothern reefs. << Read less

Goal 1.1: To establish and strengthen national and regional systems of protected areas integrated into a global network as a contribution to globally agreed goals
Goal 1.2: To integrate protected areas into broader land- and seascapes and sectors so as to maintain ecological structure and function
Goal 1.3: To establish and strengthen regional networks, transboundary protected areas (TBPAs) and collaboration between neighbouring protected areas across national boundaries
Goal 1.4: To substantially improve site-based protected area planning and management
Goal 3.4: To ensure financial sustainability of protected areas and national and regional systems of protected areas
Goal 3.5: To strengthen communication, education and public awareness
Goal 4.1 - To develop and adopt minimum standards and best practices for national and regional protected area systems
Goal 4.3: To assess and monitor protected area status and trends
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