1. Republic of Palau – Hydrographic Report Mekeruul D. Ueki GIS Aide Office of the PALARIS MPIIC Republic of Palau

2. Currently, Palau does not have a separate Hydrographic Office, which is dedicated solely for purpose of providing hydrographic services. Although there isn’t a Hydrographic Office, the office of the Palau Automated Land and Resources Information System (PALARIS) continues to work to set up a Hydrographic Office and keeps records of all related information. PALARIS also stores in its servers copies of Navigational Charts and has recently provided digitalization of such charts. This also includes inshore, mid-shore, and offshore data. At present time, we are in need of a Hydrographic Survey to be completed for near shore areas, ship and small-craft channels, coral reefs, tourist dive spots, and a major update to our Aids to Navigation. In conclusion, Palau needs support to complete the remaining surveys so that the data could all be compiled to produce a complete Hydrographic Survey of our islands.

3. Palau Hydrographic Report Office requiring Hydrographic Information Marine Resources Marine Law Enforcement Tourism Industry/diving/boating Geographic Information System (PALARIS) Shipping Industry Palau International Coral Reef Center Maritime Boundary Task Force Marine Sanctuary Office of Environmental Resource Coordination? OERC Aquaculture activities NEMO (National Emergency Management Office) Bureau of Commercial Development

4. Current Statues: No hydrographic office No official centralized office which addresses hydrographic issues. PALARIS, the National GIS Office, works to provide some level of expertise on the field. PALARIS has worked to set up a hydrographic office and keeps a record of information. PALARIS has copies of charts and digitized some of the information. Palau needs: Updated hydrography of near shore, navigation channels, coral reefs, tourist dive spots. Updated Aids to Navigation. Hydrographic Survey Activities: During the year of 2013 the San Diego – Roger Revelle Ship conducted a survey in Palau waters to determine the depths and wrecks of World War II. Type of Survey: Coastal Survey Off-shore Survey Survey for update chart