Palau sanctuary
Palau is to create the world’s first "shark sanctuary", banning all commercial shark fishing in its waters according to the president of the tiny Pacific republic.
He also called for a global ban on shark-finning and said that the need to protect the sharks far outweighs the need to enjoy a bowl of soup. As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world.
The president also called for an end to bottom-trawling, a fishing method that can destroy valuable seafloor ecosystems such as coral reefs.
Palau has recognised how important sharks are to healthy marine environments and are leading the world in shark conservation.
Globally, 21% of shark species whose extinction risk has been assessed fall into the "threatened" categories, and 18% are "near threatened". For a further 35%, there is not enough data to decide.
Asked what he would be urging other leaders to do, the Palau President said simply: "To follow suit!”
Related posts:
