New changes coming to Palau’s national marine sanctuary law
Koror- Proposed amendments to the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (PNMS) to lift the export ban on pelagic fish and create a corridor to the high seas as the new boundary for the 20 percent Domestic Fishing Zone (DFZ) will be signed into law today (June 12). The bill seeks to allow commercial exports of fish within the DFZ for its economic “vital revenue” from foreign fishing license fees and for Palau to also earn revenue from fish caught inside and exported from the dom
New Japan Patrol Boat boosts Palau fight against IUU
Koror, Palau- The additional patrol boat to Palau from Nippon and Sasakawa Foundation is being hailed as a boost in the fight against illegal fishing in the island-nation. Photo by Ongerung Kambes Kesolei The new patrol boat, PSS Kedam also amplifies Palau’s national marine sanctuary law- a signature policy of the government that will ban commercial fishing in its 193,000 square miles of its exclusive economic zone by 2020. The PSS Kedam is named after the Great Frigate Bird
Palau Gets New Patrol Boat
Entering Malakal harbor through the pinchers, Palau’s newest patrol boat, Kedam, with its 15-member newly trained Palauan crew and accompanied by Japanese counterparts, made its way to its permanent home-berth at Melusch Melachel –marine law compound – witnessed by Palau’s national and traditional leaders. In addition to the members of Palau’s leadership, family and friends of the crew, Ambassador Toshiyuki Yamada of Japan to Palau and special guests representing the Japan As
Senate Repeals and Replaces EIF With Palau Visitor's Fee
The Palau Senate has agreed on a compromise version of House Bill No. 10-22-1, HD1, SD1 in a unanimous 12-0 vote. The $100 Environmental Impact Fee is repealed and replaced with $100 Palau Visitor's Fee, which will encompass $30 Green Fee, $20 Departure Tax, and additional $50 to be collected upon implementation on 1 April 2018. Palau National Congress Building Where EIF detailed its allocation - $25 for pension, $10 for PNMS Fund, $12.50 for State Governments, and $2.50 for
Fearing Economic Decline, Groups call for Delay or Repeal of Palau’s Environmental Fee
Fearful that it will further reduce already-declining tourist arrivals, a coalition of airlines and tourism development groups are calling for the postponement of the April 1 implementation of the new $100 environmental impact fee (EIF). Tourism is the largest revenue contributor to Palau's economy. Photo by Ongerung Kambes Kesolei The EIF is an integral part of President Tommy Remengesau Jr. famed policy, the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. A portion of the EIF is supposed
Palau Gov't Seeks Fishing Vessel Forfeiture
The Palau government filed on Dec. 2 a civil action suit against the owner of seized Philippine fishing vessel suspected of conducting illegal fishing in the nation's waters. Civil Action No. 16-112 seeks forfeiture of vessel Gene 8, with the government also asking the court to order the vessel to pay a fine for illegally fishing in Palau waters. Palau seeks court order to take the fishing vessel found within its waters on Nov.18. “The listed property is subject to forfeitu
Palau’s Environment Minister To Take Action On Illegal Trade of Napoleon Wrasse
Community cooperation is a must to stop illegal poaching of the Napoleon Wrasse, Minister of Natural Resources, Tourism and Environment Umiich Sengebau told Pacific Note. Sengebau was reacting to the social media firestorm created by photos posted on Facebook of alleged tourists holding a dead Napoleon Wrasse. Although the photos do not verify whether it was taken in Palau, it has been known that the tame Napoleon Wrasses found at Blue Corner have been disappearing. There is
Palau Reiterates Stance Vs. Illegal Fishing, Burns Another Boat
Palau destroyed another Vietnamese fishing boat caught poaching in its waters, with the island nation warning that it is imposing a zero tolerance policy against illegal fishing. On May 25, the blue boat seized last month was set on fire miles of the coast of Palau, sending an even stronger message that it is serious against its fight to combat illegal fishing. “As I’ve said in the past, we will not tolerate poachers in Palau,” said President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. “Now th
Palau Sends Tough Message Vs. Illegal Fishing, Will Burn More Vietnamese Boats
Apparently, the message was not clear enough, so Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. wants to make it clearer. At today’s press press conference, Remengasau announced that the Vietnamese boats apprehended last month will be burned. Remengesau said the plan to dispose of the boats is to either give one to the community or burn the rest. On April 16, Palau law enforcement captured two Vietnamese “blue boats” suspected of illegally fishing in Palau waters. Two more Vietnamese
