The Aquaculture Opportunity
With wild fisheries stretched to the limit, expanding terrestrial agriculture may appear to be an obvious alternative to meet food needs—but Palau lacks any substantial amount of land appropriate for cultivation. Instead, Palau has come to rely on imported food. Though wild-caught fish and crops like taro are still central to the local cuisine, more and more, Palau’s citizens are filling their plates with canned meat and other highly processed foods. The shift away from traditional diets has contributed to public health concerns, including high rates of obesity and diabetes. It has also undermined the country’s food security; at the height of the pandemic, global supply chains were snarled by disruptions and delays, which left Palau and other import-dependent communities vulnerable to food shortages.
While Palau’s emphasis on marine conservation is valuable in its own right, it’s also central to the country’s tourism-driven economy. Every year, tens of thousands of people travel to the islands to experience their breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Outnumbering residents five to one, these tourists support about 38% of Palau’s gross domestic product and 45% of its employment. However, they also put more pressure on Palau’s already taxed food supply.
Aquaculture has the potential to help Palau address these challenges—if developed and managed responsibly. This means choosing species, farming equipment and management practices that minimize environmental impact (or even result in net positive environmental outcomes), as well as siting projects in suitable locations. In Palau, which is home to vibrant and diverse ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, smart siting is particularly important in order to protect marine environments.
