During the 2025 Beyond the Blue: Palau Mapping series of expeditions, NOAA Ocean Exploration is working closely with the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) — the organization tasked with the administration of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS), as well as the coordination of related research, outreach, and education activities. In addition to increasing mapping coverage of unexplored areas of the sanctuary, this summer’s expeditions presented a unique and meaningful opportunity to build local capacity in deep-sea science and exploration. Partnering to train Palauan students and early career researchers, NOAA Ocean Exploration and PICRC are working together to prepare the next generation of ocean explorers and leaders.
As part of this effort, PICRC hosted five junior regional advisors (JRAs) in both onshore and offshore activities as part of a 9-week workforce development opportunity. For five weeks onshore in Koror, Palau, the group shadowed PICRC researchers and outreach staff, gained hands-on experience with environmental DNA (eDNA) sample processing, supported aquarium operations, and launched individual research projects focused on the sanctuary’s deep-sea ecosystems. They also joined virtual webinars with NOAA Ocean Exploration staff and partners to learn about the broader scope of NOAA’s exploration efforts.
Following their onshore experience with PICRC, the JRAs served as guest scientists aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer from July 22 to August 11, during the first of three NOAA Ocean Exploration mapping expeditions in Palauan waters. At sea, they supported eDNA sample collection to help PICRC monitor marine species in the sanctuary, learned ship operations, and gained hands-on experience in seafloor mapping alongside NOAA Ocean Exploration personnel. As part of the larger capacity building goals of this collaboration, the junior advisors will also write technical reports and help develop educational materials based on the expedition, further amplifying the reach and impacts of this initiative.
Read on to meet the participants, learn what excited them about this opportunity, and hear their reflections on this unique experience.
