PICRC leads regional coral monitoring workshop in Kosrae

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The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) recently expanded its role as a regional leader in
marine science by facilitating a specialized introduction and training workshop on ReefCloud in
Kosrae, FSM. The workshop that was held from April 20 to April 24, 2026, marked the first time this
training was delivered to Micronesian participants by regional trainers.

PICRC team members Daniel Cassidy and Victor Nestor who led the sessions, were amongst the first
cohort of the ReefCloud Training-of-Trainers Program, sharing expertise they gained during their
own intensive training over the last 18 months. They were supported online by Dr. Samuel Chan,
from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Four key environmental officers from the
region participated in the workshop:


● Mr. Robert George, Kosrae Division of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

● Mr. Bruno Ned, Kosrae Division of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
● Mr. John Alokoa, Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organisation (KCSO).
● Mr. Jeremiah Talimeche, Yap Marine Resources Management Division.

The training focused on ReefCloud, an advanced image annotation tool developed by the AIMS. By
utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), the software assists researchers in analyzing coral reef data more
efficiently.


During the workshop, participants engaged in:
● Benthic Monitoring Foundations: A review of monitoring methods and the rationale on
selecting different scientific approaches for different monitoring needs.
● Technical Exercises: Hands-on training for setting up ReefCloud projects, using ReefCloud
and interpreting data from the public dashboards.
● Model Validation: In-depth presentations on validating the accuracy and results of the
machine learning model for reporting.
● Regional Reporting: A discussion around increasing participation of the region in
collaborating on monitoring efforts and reporting.

All participants successfully completed the curriculum and were awarded certificates of
participation. The success of this workshop highlights the growing demand for advanced monitoring
tools in Micronesia and highlights PICRC’s commitment to supporting neighbouring islands through
shared knowledge and technical expertise.

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Graduation of Gratitude

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By Scott Lieber

Alii chad er Belau. This is a wonderful time of year, honoring all those who are graduating. Elementary schools, high schools, and colleges all celebrate the students’ achievements and progress. In life, we have various “graduations” as well. Our first job, marriage, children, and different levels of learning through life experiences are forms of graduation. Palau has many beautiful traditions and insights that all graduates can benefit from. These are a few that come to mind:

  • Remember where you came from. Keeping the respect and love one learns at home allows for future success and happiness in life.
  • Keep Palauan traditions, language, and culture alive and close to your heart. Taking care of each other with unconditional love is truly Palauan.
  • Always keep trying. My favorite phrase I say to Mechas Kristin is, “Ak e diak a medatk el kmo melasem.” With each graduation comes new challenges, and our ability to fearlessly keep trying is so important.
  • Humility and gratitude for Rubak el Dios. Palau is a nation of faith, and this faith will sustain our lives through all circumstances.
  • Connection to the land and sea. Understanding the blessings of abundance, we can all share as we respectfully use the resources the land and sea may provide.

Finally, kid rokui can learn from all the current graduates as we remember to look forward with hope for the future and never stop learning. Someday, all of us will “graduate” from life itself. When this happens, taking the beautiful traits of Palau with us will make for a graduation of gratitude.

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