December 2020
Two islands in the Pacific – American Samoa and Palau – sit nearly 4,000 miles apart, but are united by the rich ocean waters that surround them. In September, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC), which honors this inherent connection and opens the door for international collaboration. Representatives from NOAA and Palau spoke at a virtual event announcing the agreement between the two countries’ marine sanctuaries on December 15th.
Reaching Across Borders
Fagatele Bay is part of National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. It was formed by a collapsed volcanic crater and is surrounded by steep, forested cliffs. Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA