The maps are the result of the first comprehensive assessment of the extent and types of Palau's coral reefs.

The NOAA mapping effort covered 946 square miles and was the most extensive coral area mapped by the agency to date.

The government of Palau requested the maps and data to support development of a biological monitoring program.

Resource managers and scientists will use the maps and other data collected by NOAA to evaluate the effectiveness of local marine conservation areas and identify new areas for protection.

"NOAA is leading efforts to map coral ecosystems of the U.S. and Pacific Freely Associated States," said Timothy R. E. Keeney,deputy under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force.

"NOAA was proud to partner with Palau in this important effort to better understand and characterize that island nation's abundant and diverse coral reef habitats."

Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. called on Micronesian nations in 2005 to conserve 30 percent of near shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources by 2020, according to Youlsou Bells, Palau's national environmental planner. This "Micronesia Challenge" was endorsed by the chief executives of the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Territory of Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

"The tools provided by NOAA were a crucial piece for us to strengthen our efforts to establish a biological monitoring program for Palau," said President Remengesau. "Through enhanced monitoring and understanding of our delicate resources, we can support and achieve the goals set forth in the Micronesian Challenge."

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment prepared the coral reef habitat maps and data on behalf of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, which supports effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems.