Go4BioDiv Booklet 2012

Heather Ketebengang, 29Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Palau42The islands and ocean within the Rock Islands-Southern Lagoon comprisea unique and exceptional habitat for a large number of marine andterrestrial plant and animal species. The biological value of our Lagoonis rich and diverse and provides resources for our community, both forsubsistence and commercial harvesting. The stunning biodiversity, aboveand under water, also provides the foundation for Palau’s tourism industry,and in turn, the nation’s economy. The Rock Islands-Southern Lagoon isan integral part of Palau’s cultural identity, both in the present day andhistorically.Since Palau is a small island nation that is surrounded by the ocean,I am an islander, and the ocean is a part of my life. Without the ocean, Iwould not know who I am. The ocean was there when we were born intothis nation and it has nurtured us with the food and resources that weneed to live and survive in this world. The ocean not only defines whowe are, but is also a great contribution to our health, livelihood, and oureconomy.