Coral Reef Research Boost: The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) welcomed French marine scientist Emily Gambino to strengthen marine protected area monitoring and reef conservation science. Sustainable Aquaculture: Palau opened its first community-managed satellite giant clam hatchery in Koror, aiming to supply farmers with high-quality seedlings, ease pressure on wild clams, and support livelihoods—especially for women—backed by New Zealand’s Manaaki Fund and local training. Reef Science for Better Management: Taiwan’s Academia Sinica visited PICRC to share work on reef fish history, coral spawning cues, reef “soundscapes,” and marine plastics—research PICRC says can guide future reef management. Community Climate Resilience Education: PICRC’s Education Carnival reached outer islands including Peleliu, Angaur, and Kayangel with hands-on marine science learning and community consultations on marine conservation and climate resilience. Local Fisheries Data for Protection: New research found Palau’s longnose emperor grows faster, lives shorter, and reaches smaller sizes than in other regions, with findings that could shape catch limits and spawning protections. Regional Security at Sea: Palau’s patrol boat PSS H.I. Remeliik II returned from Operation IRENSIA 2026, a multinational exercise focused on law enforcement readiness against threats like illegal fishing and transnational crime. Invasive Species Biosecurity Policy: Guam advanced a bill to simplify collection of invasive species inspection fees tied to cargo, supporting border biosecurity and rapid response.