Steven Victor, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment for Palau, shared insights into the country’s successful implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and achievement of its 30×30 conservation target during discussions at the Melanesian Ocean Summit.
Minister Victor explained that the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in Palau was driven by the concerns of local fishermen who recognized the need for stronger regulations to protect marine resources.
According to Victor, without proper laws and management, fishing grounds risked becoming uncontrolled and unsustainable.
“The establishment was rooted in the tradition of Palau, we were protecting the resources for them, not from them,” he said.
He emphasized that community involvement and traditional practices played a central role in the development of Palau’s marine conservation efforts, ensuring that local communities remained part of the decision-making process.
Minister Victor also highlighted the importance of regional and global cooperation in addressing environmental challenges affecting the Pacific.
“We have global threats that we cannot manage on our own and we needed a network to protect our interests,” he stated.
Through these partnerships, the Palau government was able to channel resources and support directly into communities to strengthen conservation and sustainable resource management.
Victor further stressed the need for countries to invest in the management of their own natural resources.
“There needs to be an investment from Palau to manage our resources,” he said, noting that initiatives such as a green fee have contributed towards funding environmental protection and conservation programs.
Palau continues to be recognized internationally for its leadership in marine conservation and sustainable ocean management within the Pacific region.
