Palau's PSS Remeliik rescues 15 Filipino fishermen
Koror, Palau- Fifteen Filipino fishermen were rescued in Palau waters after their motorbanca being towed to shore by the PSS Remeliik was damaged during rough seas. The fishermen all hails from General Santos City,were caught moored at a fish aggregating device (FAD) located in South East of Helen Reef, Sunday. According to Remeliik’s Acting Commanding Officer, Allison Baiei, in an interview today said ,marine law enforcers, during a regional patrol of Palau’s Exclusive Econ
Tuna Commission Adopts Pacific Port Inspections Of Suspect Fishing Boats
Manila, Philippines- The Forum Fisheries Agency is delighted that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has adopted its proposal for a new Port State Measure to combat illegal fishing by boosting Pacific Island capacity to conduct port inspections. Fisheries Forum Agency (FFA) James Movick said the adoption of the port state measure is a victory against illegal fishing. Tuna are offloaded from a fishing vessel spotted by the Palau Marine law enforcers t
Seven fishermen safe after being rescued off Palau
Seven fishermen are safe after their Japanese-flagged 50-foot fishing boat, the Gyotoku Maru No. 1, reportedly capsized 218 miles southwest of Palau. The fishermen were rescued and transferred safely by another fishing vessel to General Santos, Philippines. “We’re incredibly relieved these men are safe and back on dry land,” said Lt. Cmdr. Josh Empen, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Guam. “Special thanks to all our partners with the Department of Defense,
Palau Senate Panel Throws Support behind Tourists Fee Repeal
Barely two months into the new government, the President and the Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) or the Palau Congress seem headed on a collision course with opposing views on the Environmental Impact Fee (EIF). Palau's Capitol Building in Melekeok State Earlier, the House of Delegates has made clear their position through their full support in the passage of the bill, HB No. 10-22-1, HD1, to repeal the EIF provision of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS)- President Tommy Rem
Rhea Moss-Christian: Taking The Fish by The Tail
Nadi, Fiji - A real life David and Goliath struggle has unraveled in the Pacific as a young woman from a small island nation takes on the cause of protecting the world’s dwindling tuna stocks against bigger countries and interests — a role that has earned her global respect. In her day job Rhea Moss- Christian works as the special adviser on Oceans and Trade to the government of the Marshall Islands, where she provides direct support to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is
Legal Battle Ensuing Over Fishing Vessel
The counsel for the owner of the seized Philippine fishing vessel in November claimed that the boat was making an “innocent passage” on Palau waters and not conducting any illegal fishing. In a six-page answer and counter-claim filed in court Dec.21, vessel Gene 8 owned by San Lorenzo Ruiz Fishing Industry, Inc., a Philippine-based fishing company cited that the vessel should not have been arrested because it was making an innocent passage as” she was exercising her right pu
Filipino Fishermen Detained, Boat Seized
The Division of Marine Law Enforcement (DMLE) seized a small Filipino-flagged fishing vessel on Dec. 16 for suspected illegal fishing in Palau’s waters. According to a DMLE officer, the vessel, identified as the FV Kurt,was found by the PSS Remeliik 14 miles from Tobi Island on the morning of Dec. 16. Information stated that when the officers found the vessel, it had a fishing line in the water and when they boarded, the officers found sharks and at least 4 tons of yellowfin
United Pacific Nations Win Observers Safety Measure
Nadi, Fiji - A united 17-Pacific island Nation bloc attending Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) here in Nadi, Fiji fought bigger fisheries nations and won, paving the way for safety measures for fisheries observers. Safety of fisheries observers, which was one of the Pacific island nations most important priorities, almost did not get the needed consensus after Japan initially disagreed to support it saying that the Japan fisheries’ delegation has
Pacific And Global Fishing Powers To Tackle Declining Tuna Stocks
Nadi, Fiji- With two of the main commercial species of tuna at critical levels this week’s meeting of the multi-national body that decides fishing rules in the Pacific is expected to be tense. WCPFC Chairperson Rhea Moss-Christian Members of the Western Central and Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) kick off their annual meeting in Fiji today with the more than 500 delegates getting the full welcome during the opening of the week-long meeting. Pacific and global fishi
Fish Orgies in Palau (and how to find them)
It’s 5 am and the sky is fast warming in the east with a thin waning crescent moon, the stars are hanging on in the western sky and the water is lapping against the dock. I’m here in Malakal Palau boarding a boat with Dari Divers about to go and see one of nature’s spectacles and a hope for conservation across the world. Bumphead Parrotfish when adult grow over a meter long and can weigh in at over 100lbs. During a mating aggregation over a thousand fish, each one with a blea
