NAMDRIK FACT FILE
Number of Islets: 2. Population RMI Census 2021: 299 (155 males, 144 females). Land Area: 1.07 square miles. Lagoon Area: 3.25 square miles. Namdrik yacht permit fee: $25. Namdrik Mayor: Clarence Luther. Nitijela Member: Wisely Zackhras.
Namdrik is one of the most southerly atolls in the Marshall Islands. It’s about 250 miles from Majuro and has just a little more than one square mile of land. Namdrik’s Nitijela Member is Wisely Zackhras, who was first elected in November, 2017, following the death of his brother Mattlan, who held the role for many years.
Namdrik was one of the atolls where the University of the South Pacific’s Majuro campus held jaki-ed (clothing mat) apprenticeships. Pictured above is a graduation from that project.
Prior to this, Matt and the Mayor, Clarence Luther, were very pro-active in improving conditions on the atoll through developing various projects, including the farming of black pearls. I believe the pearl farm no longer exists, but I have kept this section on the site as a matter of history. Back in the day I wrote: “The pearls have a high value, are easy to transport, and are non-perishable. The fact that Namdrik’s lagoon is enclosed, with no pass for boats, means it is pristine and perfect for growing pearls. Namdrik is the only place in the Marshall Islands where Black-lip pearl oysters are present in significant quantity, due to its enclosed pristine lagoon. The project is assisted by a group called Seacology, which also funded an education and surveillance center.”
Namdrik Atoll had a healthy pearl farm back in the 2010 era. The photos below were taken by the late Member of Parliament Matt Zackhras.
ECHOES FROM THE PAST
Trader House in Namdrik
This photo was taken in 1886. Photographer unknown.
