Stop Palau from gutting their shark fishing laws
Earlier this month, news surfaced about a bill in Palau’s congress that would eliminate the protection of sharks in Palau’s waters – protection which was only just instated in 2004. The new bill even motivates fishermen to land sharks. Senate bill No. 8-44 seeks “to amend Title 27 of Palau’s National Code to allow for the commercial fishing of sharks within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone, to impose a tax on the export of sharks and tuna-like species, and for other related purposes.”
A concerned DPG reader, Edward Dorson writes:
“I fear Palau is going to commit a nightmare for itself if it goes through with this legislation.
I’ve dived Palau’s waters twice, in 2004 and then again in 2007, and I’d already noticed a definite fall-off in shark populations (same time of year, same conditions). This seemed the result of illegal poaching with current protections not being strictly enforced.
Why on earth is Palau being so short-sighted? The bill is an unbelievably disastrous proposal in terms of Palau’s economy as well as damage to the conservationist image it has achieved up to now (pro-whaling vote aside). This bill would surely destroy what remains of Palau’s “natural wonder of the world” tourist lure. It’s a tragedy in the making for the sharks, the ecosystem, and for Palau’s dive industry.”
Our friends at Sam’s Tours in Palau posted the following earlier this month, and urge all of us to contact the tourism board, the chamber of commerce and the visitorsauthority to voice our support against this move of passing Senate bill 8-44.
Belau Tourism Association: bta@palaunet.com
Palau Chamber of Commerce: pcoc@palaunet.com
Palau Visitors Authority: pva@visit-palau.com
