Palau Rock Islands

Location: Palau (southern lagoon of main islands), western Pacific Signs of progress: The 500 rock islands located in the southern lagoon are renowned for their beauty. The lagoon supports the largest hawksbill sea turtle populations in Micronesia, although nesting adults are being seriously overharvested. Palau also boasts exceptional species diversity of reef life and supports other marine mammals and reptiles, such as dugongs and saltwater crocodiles, not found elsewhere in Micronesia. Urban and resort development pose the most serious threats to this area. The Nature Conservancy and the Palau Conservation Society are successfully working with local communities and the government to protect the Palau reefs.