Neco Marine Projects
Neco Marine goes beyond offering incredible diving experiences. They are dedicated to preserving and protecting Palau's marine environment and cultural heritage. Through their initiatives, Neco Marine works to preserve traditional knowledge and cultural practices. They are also deeply committed to environmental conservation and marine protection, ensuring the long-term health of Palau's stunning reefs and the incredible creatures that call them home. Additionally, Neco Marine actively engages in research, education, and advocacy efforts, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for Palau's unique environment and culture.
Manta ID Palau
Palau has a resident population of mantas around its channels that we are learning more about each year. We have been photographing mantas for years, and are building up a database of belly IDs and unusual behavior for the Palau mantas. During the months of September to May each year, larger mantas visit the channels in Palau to mate and give birth. So far, over 400 different individual mantas have been photographed in different locations across Palau.
To learn more, please visit mantaidpalau.org or contact our shop. We encourage you to send us any photos or information you may have on Palau's mantas
Palau Dugong Awareness Campaign
Neco Marine is also a partner for the PALAU DUGONG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, which is coordinated by Mandy Etpison and supported by local NGOs, the Bureau of Marine Resources, Koror State, and Fish and Wildlife. The shy dugong sea cow is Palau's most endangered marine mammal, and little is known about it. Palau has the smallest and most isolated dugong population in the world, with possibly less than 200 animals. Palauans still hunt and eat dugongs, and hunting remains a problem in spite of local laws protecting the dugong. The awareness campaign aims to educate Palauans about the dugong, survey their feeding grounds and daily routes, and work with local government agencies to improve enforcement on illegal poaching. So far the campaign has distributed educational materials like stickers, folders and posters to local schools, tour operators and government agencies, aired dugong awareness messages on local TV and news, and started the surveys by boat and helicopter, which will continue over the next year. A 12 feet life-sized wooden statue of a dugong mother with two calves made by the Epison Museum was presented to the Minister of State for display in August 2010. The President of Palau named the statue, the mother "Tarkid" (part of us) and the calves "Mesekemam" (look out for us).
A 45-page free dugong educational booklet was distributed to all local schools, libraries, and government agencies in January 2011. The Palau awareness campaign has now evolved into a regional campaign supported by SPREP and UNEP/CMS with other pacific range countries such as PNG, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Australia, and the Solomon Islands.
Traditional Star Navigation
On his many visits to the outer islands of Yap, our CEO was impressed by the traditional Micronesian knowledge of the stars, used for open ocean canoe navigation. This knowledge is lost on Palau and only a few individuals still practice it on Yap. Shallum sponsored the relocation to Palau of Cesario Sewralur and his family, one of the last remaining experts alive on star navigation. Cesario now teaches traditional navigation courses at the Palau Community College supported by the Micronesian Voyaging Society
Community Events: The Etpison Cup
Neco Marine is a major sponsor for many sports and community events taking place in Palau, including the Palau Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup.
Each year in May, the community gathers for this exciting event which showcases Palau’s best sport fishing, canoe races, stand-up paddling races, volleyball tournaments, and more.
Visit the Palau Sports Fishing Association (PSFA) Website for more information!