eee epeeos The SPC also scheduled a top leva put the Administration plans to send a elopment ries development ' promote and pment and use of the people of the marine recrea- yrt fishing, skin commercial fishaus shell, pearl of Peace Corps arine Resources m has opened ipe, and Yap. In unteer assists the tative with its nstruction prories Volunteer is fisheries of the ‘cial attention to rmerly lucrative rer) fisheries of meeting of fisheries experts in Koro? maller vessel to Truk soon to conduct but it was canceled at the last minus long-range, follow-up investigation. when transportation difficulties arose Because a number of experts wer Territory una boat in the maintenance of Other Fisheries direction of the ygram, work in lop the inshore istricts to which ; Food and Agri(FAO) and the mission (SPC) ‘aining course in The FAO staff the course was ‘isheries Officer nagement BiolTerritory. Two experts from 9k Islands inees from New he Trust Terri- Marine Resources Con* ere also conducted during the year. ference was called instead to discug’, j|{onolulu firm, specializing in devel- development of marine resource pro’ opment of natural water resources, grams. gssisied with a thorough study of the Offshore Fisheries Development ‘tion estimates were prepared to help water resources of Dublon. Construc- determine the most practical of the The goals of the offshore fisheria”’ th yee sites selected and surveyed. development program are to promot’ commercial exploitation of skipjack goatbuilding tuna stocks by Micronesian fishermen’ to develop freezing, canning, and prof The boatbuilding program seeks to cessing operations as well as boat! provide the necessary technical superbuilding and repair facilities at suitabk’ yjjon and assistance to develop the locations throughout the Territory boatbuilding and drydockingindustry, and to promote an increase in spon ang to meet the major construction fishing for marlin, large tuna, ang’ and maintenance requirements for other gamespecies. wooden, molded-glass, steel, and ferrocement ies Volunteer is ‘ew and engineer site surveys for a commercial fish- already in Koror or Guam. a Trus eries plant on Dublon, Truk District, The major marine industry in th, ¢ymmercial boats operated fishing by industry, the the Trust Territory is the skipjack fishery Administration, and other commercial in the Palau District which annual.”enterprises. lands about 4,000 tons of fish, value at about $420,000, from boat’ Boatbuilding and drydocking acti- manned largely by Okinawan fisher vitivs continue at the Palau Shipyard. "All operations remain under the supermen. Rvision of the Trust Territory boat- To prepare Micronesians for building specialist who instructs ever-increasing role in this fishery, the workers in modern boatbuilding and Administration sponsors an advance repair techniques. More than 70 boats, fisheries training program in Hawaf . ranging in size from 8 to 45 feet, were where Micronesian fishermen work .built during the year for use throughskipjack boats operating out out the Trust Territory and Guam in Hawaii. ‘fishing, hauling copra, carrying freight and passengers, and serving as supply, Because live bait is essential fog support, and recreational vessels. skipjack fishing, the program attempt About 23 workers were employed at to explore the availability of live baif the shipyard and sales totaled in the Territory. During the reporting£ $137,181. period, the Government tuna ve was used to conduct a survey in Tr The working area at the shipyard to determine the availability and abur, exceeds 10,000 square feet. A doubledance of the local bait species. Thi decked warehouse, a large loft, consurvey produced inconclusive “| Crete. work dock with heavy duty Part VI—Economic Advancemenf Fiscal Year 1968 crane, one construction and repair ways, one repair ways, and one small boat ramp are in use. A small machine shop added during the year is being enlarged as demand warrants. All commercial fishing vessels and most Government and private boats in the Palau area are maintained at the yard. New construction continues at a rapid pace. The shipyard is now for- mulating plans to begin building ferrocement boats, barges, and pontoons for bridges and floats. In addition, plans to start construction of moldedglass hulls for vessels in the 14 to 25 foot range are being studied. Inquiries and orders for boats ranging up to 45 feet have come from as far away as Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti. Efforts are being made to determine the feasibility of developing these markets and whether suitable shipping arrangements can be made. Biological and Oceanographic Research The goal of the marine research program is to establish in Palau District a marine biological research laboratory which will increase knowledge of phenomenarelated to inshore and offshore waters of the Territory. The laboratory will provide access to this rich biotic province at a particularly favorable place, will include research and housing facilities for visiting scientists, and will undertake long-range applied and basic research projects to obtain the scientific information required to foster development and conservation of the Territory’s marine resources. A number of universities and agencies have indicated a desire to conduct marine research programsin Palau if laboratory facilities can be provided. 65 ER IES TEENS | TUREEE