PMDC Technicians harvested ribkungel (T. squamosa) and duadou (H. hippopus) seedlings from raceway tanks E08 & E09. These seedlings were spawned from brood stock in 2021 (ribkungel) and 2022 (duadou).
Fisheries Technician William Jr and Fisheries Specialist Lawrence aggregated the seedlings according to size and collected data on shell length. Most seedlings were within 2.5cm-4cm, highly prized for market and farmer distribution.
Fisheries Specialist II Percy recorded the total amount of seedlings by size and species. He also prepared the invoice to the giant clam farmer for payment at the Giant Clam Gift Shop, operated by Coastal Fisheries Officer Daley.
November 17, 2025 |Palau Mariculture Demonstration Center | Bureau of Fisheries
PMDC welcomes new Fisheries Technicians Masao Umedip, Emitt Naruo, and Wynona ‘Sayo” Sugiyama.
The new technicians dove straight in to operations with conducting inventory of nursery tanks, daily raceway tank cleaning, and harvesting Tridacna maxima (melibes) from the larvae tank to the nursery tanks.
PMDC Staffing is now at capacity and we look towards a productive new year to produce, manage, protect, and conserve our precious marine resources.
Larvae tank is drained of all water, exposing the larvae attached to the bottom. The giant clam larvae are then gently collected as demonstrated by Fisheries Technician II William Jr.Once all larvae are collected from the tank, they are then placed into a basin with running filtered water. Demonstrated by Fisheries Technician I Sheldon.The larvae are then carefully handled and washed gently, removing all of the algae and debris. Demonstrated by Fisheries Specialist I Lawrence and OFCF Expert Mizuno.Tridacna maxima seedlings ready to be transferred to the grow out tanks at PMDC for the next 24 months until ready for farmer distribution
December 2, 2025 | Palau Mariculture Demonstration Center
Bureau of Fisheries in collaboration with Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation launched the 2025 Giant Clam Seed Production and Distribution Plan.
Guests in attendance are Giant Clam farmers, Japan Embassy representatives, PMDC technicians, PNAC technicians and TTM interns, and last but not least OFCF representatives including Director of Program Operations Mr. Takeda and OFCF Expert Shota Mizuna.
SAO/Acting Chief Cherelle introduced the special guests from OFCF this morning and also welcomed attendees to the event. Minister Steven Victor then gave the opening remarks.
Stakeholders including farmers, PNAC & PMDC technicians, government officials, and representatives from the Japan Embassy were present to witness the minister signing the agreement to officially launch the plan, into executed by Bureau of Fisheries-Division of Aquaculture.
OFCF Expert Mizuno provided a brief overview of the plan and shared his experience working on the plan in Palau over three months from August, September, and November 2025.
Director Takeda delivered congratulatory remarks on a successful event and wished much success on the implementation of the Plan as well as future partnerships between OFCF and Palau.
Lastly, Minister Steven Victor and Acting Chief/Sustainable Aquaculture Officer Cherelle Williams facilitated a lively Q&A with aquaculture stakeholders: (9) farmers, Project Steering Committee members, and Palau Aquaculture Alliance representatives. Key updates are the production of ornamental species in the aquarium trade, namely T. maxima and T. crocea, with a targeted 70% allocation under the new plan.
Minister Steven Victor formally endorses the new plan, with OFCF Director of Program Operations Mr. Takeda witnessing.OFCF expert Mizuno, Minister Victor, and OFCF Director of Program Operations Mr. Takeda pose for a photo upon endorsing the new Giant Clam Seed Production and Distribution Plan.Minster Victor and Acting Chief/SAO Cherelle facilitate lively Q&A discussion with aquaculture farmers.SAO Cherelle poses for a group photo with stakeholders including members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC): PAA, MAFE, BOF, & EQPB.
On November 17, Sustainable Aquaculture Officer and Acting Chief, Division of Aquaculture Cherelle Williams and KM, M&E, Gender and Communications Officer Silmai Fritz co-facilitated an aquaculture workshop at “Bairusmou” in Ngeruikl Village, Ngchesar with TTM Specialist Carlos Chiu.
The community-based organization and NGO, Debdebokel, is a traditional women’s group for Ngeruikl village. The group is interested in starting an aquaculture farm in their village. They wanted to learn from Bureau of Fisheries’ Palau Mariculture Demonstration Center and our Taiwan Technical Mission partners with Palau National Aquaculture Center on the best practices and lessons learned on sustainable aquaculture to support food security and economic livelihoods.
The Sustainable Aquaculture Project learned directly from the community that due to the increase in cost of living in Palau, a community aquaculture farm is conducive to a resilient community to mitigate impacts of climate change and strengthen food security and livelihoods. Therefore, the project will facilitate the process of Debdebokel establishing an aquaculture farm as a community-based organization. Site selection, species management, and best practices are ways that the project will assist the community to meet their community needs with an ecological approach to aquaculture management.
On October 16, 2025 The PMU joins the Bureau of Fisheries, in collaboration with Taiwan Technical Mission, to celebrate World Food Day at Ngatpang State. 1000 milkfish fingerlings were released into the Ngerdubch Corporation aquaculture pond. Stakeholder present are members of the Ngaraimis Council of Chiefs, Ngatpang Governor Jersey Iyar, State Legislators, Office of the President staff, as well as Ngatpang community members.
Stakeholders witness the very first release of cultured milkfish fingerlings developed at he Palau National Aquaculture Center (PNAC) after a successful 4-year trial phase. Opportunities for future milkfish production are communicated such as the launch of the next stage in the project involving milkfish spawning on-site. Furthermore, knowledge exchange among stakeholders underscores the significance of aquaculture not only at the state level but throughout Palau. Lastly, stakeholders acknowledged gaps in market access and challenges with milkfish aquaculture with regards to fish feed that is well noted by TTM and BOF.
Ngerdubch Corporation and Bureau of Fisheries staff acclimate milkfish fingerlings in cool bags prior to releasing them. This quality control prevents mortality and ensures a successful transfer.
Aquaculture farmer Rubeang Hiromi Nabeyama of Nabeyama Aquaculture Farm is also present to receive 500 milkfish fingerlings allocated to his milkfish farm.
Special thanks to Taiwan Technical Mission Coordinator Benjamin, Governor Jersey Iyar and Ngatpang State Government for coordinating the event with the farmers, stakeholders, and community members resulting in a successful event.
Meas or dusky rabbitfish are observed feeding the algae at Palau National Aquaculture Center (PNAC).
This is the initial posting of aquaculture species of importance with regards to Palau’s thriving aquaculture sector. Today we are highlighting dusky rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) or ‘meas.’
Typically found in tropical waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from India and Southeast Asia and beyond to Samoa.1
Adult fish tend to feed on algae, meanwhile juveniles prefer to forage filamentous algae and seagrass.2
Conservation status: Least concern; overfished throughout species range including Palau for subsistence and commercial exploitation.3
Export: Although coastal reef fish are prohibited for all export from Palau following the ban in 2020, farm-raised dusky rabbitfish from registered aquaculture farmers are allowed with a permit from the Bureau of Fisheries. This permit is mandatory for CITES compliance as well as the Palau Marine Protection Act of 1994. (RPPL)4
Closed harvest season is February 1-March 31 to promote species spawning. This ensures both sustainable subsistence and livelihoods for future generations. (RPPL)
The Bureau of Fisheries held its is annual accomplishments day with presentations from the Division of Coastal Fisheries, Division of Oceanic Fisheries, and Division of Aquaculture, as well as the GEF-7 Sustainable Aquaculture Project. The Bureau of Fisheries was able to go over their accomplishment for the past year as well as challenges and recommendations moving forward.
GEF-7 Project 