Wotje Atoll has been awarded $20,000 from the Protected Areas Network (PAN) Fund through the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). This marks a significant milestone as Wotje Atoll is the first to receive PAN funding this year. The funding proposal, initially submitted by the previous Mayor of Wotje on behalf of the Wotje Atoll Fisheries Cooperative (WAFC), was approved by the MIMRA board under the new Mayor, Rithen Lajar, who is shown in the attached photo and signed the agreement.
The $20,000 grant will facilitate the completion of a project to construct raceway tanks for giant clam farming, a crucial initiative for the sustainable development of the local community.
The PAN Fund supports projects within the Reimaanlok system, focusing on protected areas, alternative sustainable livelihoods, capacity building, and education & awareness. This fiscal year, the PAN Fund has increased its support, offering up to $25,000 for projects lasting 1-2 years, demonstrating a growing commitment to aiding atoll communities in their environmental and conservation efforts.
Wotje Atoll is the fourth to receive PAN support, following Ebon, Namdrik, and Namo atolls. With this success, more atolls in the Reimaanlok system are expected to seek PAN funding to advance their conservation projects.