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Palau Int’l Coral Reef Center opened
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Posted on Jan 24 2001
HONOLULU, Hawaii (PIDP/CPIS) — The dedication and official opening of the Palau International Coral Reef Center took place last week, as part of the festivities associated with the inauguration of Palau’s new President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. and Vice President Sandra S. Pierantozzi.
State Department Compact of Free Association special negotiator Allen P. Stayman, who represented the United States at the events, said the world-class research and educational center is a collaborative effort of Palau, Japan and the US.
“This is the first specific US-Japan project in the Pacific,” he said during a Honolulu stopover on his return to Washington Sunday. “Hopefully, it is the beginning of a trend.”
The Japanese government contributed most of the capital costs for the center, some $7 million, with the US, adding several hundred thousand more, Stayman said. But the US commitment is “basically to sustain it.” Three Peace Corps volunteers expert in marine studies are a “big part of the staff.”
Also, both US Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are expected to participate in the center’s work.
The facilities will be open to academics and researchers from around the world.
Located near downtown Koror in the capital’s harbor area, the Palau International Coral Reef Center consists of three buildings — an aquarium and both research and administrative facilities.
