These photos were taken during work on a conservation and community development project.
The project focuses on conservation issues surrounding a remote atoll in the far west Pacific,
which is a site of astonishing biodiversity and beauty, but which suffers high levels of poaching.
The work is being carried out by the Community Conservation Network and the Hatohobei
State Government.

Tobi Island lies about 300 miles southwest of the main islands of Palau.  Helen Atoll is about 40 miles
east of Tobi.  The atoll is 17 miles long and 6 miles wide, with a tiny sand island at the north end.

Approaching Helen Island from inside the lagoon.  Note two vessels to the left of the island.
These are poachers from Indonesia who are collecting trochus.
 

Helen Island from outside the lagoon.
 
 

The beach at Helen Island.
 

The church at Helen Island, recently pillaged by poachers.
 

Cauldrons from a wreck called the Spanish galleon.
 

A cannon from the wreck of the galleon.
 

A purse seine skiff on Helen Island.
 
 

Main Street, Tobi Island.
 

A friend with a coconut crab.
 

A water spout at Helen Atoll.