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The Republic of the Marshall Islands is set to launch its first maritime training program this month. The Marianas Variety reports that the College of the Marshall Islands in the capital city of Majuro will be launching the program this January, with a more comprehensive program planned for later in the year. Classes will consist of 40-hour basic safety training under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. In addition, the program will also include fisheries observer courses, basic crewmember courses and maritime apprentice program, which are all scheduled to begin after April this year. The first class of the program beginning in January is reserved for employees of the Majuro-based Luen Thai Fishing Venture, a company that operates a fleet of longliners for tuna fishing. Supplies and equipments including first aid, medical training materials and textbooks arrived ahead of time for the program. The new program is being developed in collaboration between both the College and the Marine Resource Authority.

a promotional clip for oceania televsion network weekend report news show covering micronesia

OTV NEWS - Phillipe McCracken recently visited Palau study renewable energy and energy efficiency practices on the island.

Trial of the use of drones in maritime surveillance has been moved to October to allow the Presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands to witness it first hand. Palau President Remengesau revealed during this weekly press conference that the exercise has been scheduled for September 30 to go along with this year's Independence Day celebrations. RMI President Christopher Loeak has accepted the President's invitation to join Palau's celebration. Meanwhile, the President's office is waiting for FSM President Manny Mori's official response. The government is planning a series of activities and programs for this year's Independence Day celebrations including special programs for nation's VIP guests. Activities will reportedly begin in the lead up to the main celebration on October 1st.

By Rolynda Jonathan Threatened species of sharks and manta rays could be saved from total extinction after being placed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) international trade regulation. On March 14, 2013, 177 member countries voted to protect five species of sharks -- the Oceanic whitetip and porbeagle sharks, three species of hammerhead sharks, and two species of manta rays -- in an unprecedented move that increases the number of protected marine animals in the world's ocean.

By Rolynda Jonathan A Pacific-led organization that has represented the rights of the Pacific people living with HIV is preparing to close its doors. On March 18, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) announced that they will be closing its doors by the end of March 2013 as the foundation is no longer able to survive. Despite cutting costs and implementing other strategies to address its financial issues, the donor funding has ceased to support the organization. In November 2012, the organization closed its Suva office with its Cook Islands office set to close by April following the completion of its current research project. PIAF was the first and has been the only regional NGO representing Pacific people living with HIV.

The Republic of Palau has ranked at the top of Scuba Diving's 2013 Top 100 Gold List with Blue Corner as the best scuba diving site. The online list includes operators, resorts, live-aboards, underwater experiences and dive bars around the world who are voted for their services, sceneries and experiences. Palau's Kramer's Bar and Grill was ranked at number 24 as the best bar, Sam's Tours was ranked at 28 for Best Dive Operator, Ulong Channel also made the Best Dive site at number 74, and Sam's Tour's Bottom Time Bar & Grill ranked number 95 for Best bar. Each year, the Scuba Diving team encourages divers to rate their favorite destination as part of the Top 100 Reader's Choice survey.

A new episode of Kalebong, OTV’s social commentary man-on-the-street program talks to locals. Concerns and comments about the current boom in Chinese tourism, the increasing amount of vehicles in Koror, a plea for a Palauan language newspaper and other local issues are expressed during this 25-minute program. Warning: This program is in Palauan with some inserts in English. There are no subtitles.

On October 12, a local Palauan fisherman caught a very unique flying fish by hand line during a fishing trip. The fish, which was caught at "Demul Reou" by Ben Idesmang was frozen and brought to OTV by Bodo Skebong. The fish, known as Oriental flying gurnard with a still unknown local name was caught between 80 to 90 feet in depth. According to information obtained online, the fish grows up to 16 inches in length and is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean at the depth of up to 330 feet. The fish has huge round pectoral fins that is normally held against the body, but when threatened the fins expands to scare predators. Information obtained by OTV also shows that the fish uses its pelvic fins to walk along the bottom of the ocean. Police Officer Virginia Umayam is now the proud owner of the fish. She intends to preserve the fish through taxidermy.