Palau declares EEZ a shark sanctuary
President Johnson Toribiong urges other nations to follow suit
President Toribiong also called for a global ban on shark-finning and for other nations to follow suit. Through his actions, President Toribiong has placed Palau at the very forefront of worldwide efforts to protect sharks.
Dermot Keane, founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary and resolute protector of sharks, comments: “This is a tremendous day for Palau and for the global initiatives to protect sharks from absolute and unsustainable destruction! Palau Shark Sanctuary deeply commends President Toribiong for his international leadership in world efforts to protect sharks.“
In March 2009, two newly elected senators had submitted bills to the government suggesting to re-introduce shark finning and to levy export tax from tuna fishing. This move had been followed by strong protests around the globe.
Editorial note:
Under the law of the sea, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. It stretches from the edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast.
About Palau Shark Sanctuary
Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters. In May 2003, former Palau President Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. Palau Shark Sanctuary seeks a declaration by Palau establishing the waters of Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone as a sanctuary for all sharks.
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