Palau declares EEZ a shark sanctuary

President Johnson Toribiong urges other nations to follow suit

Koror/Palau, September 25, 2009

On Friday, September 25, 2009, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, a tiny Pacific Island nation, declared the waters of Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone (230,000 Sq. Miles / 620,000 Sq. Kms.), as the worlds first officially recognized shark sanctuary, during a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in New York.

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.

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For more information on Palau Shark Sanctuary, please contact Judith Hoppe, Tourism Unlimited.