Tag Archives: Palau

A huge marine reserve in the Pacific will protect rich tourists rather than fish

Palau is a sovereign state with a UN vote, albeit one with just 18,000 residents. In 2015 the country designated 80% of its territorial waters – an area roughly the size of Spain – as a National Marine Sanctuary. In the “Bul”, as the sanctuary is known locally, commercial fishing is off limits. The reserve has attracted many of the world’s largest conservation and development NGOs. It has received more than US$90m in pledges, mostly from corporate donors, charitable trusts and government agencies in Australia, Japan and the US.  Yet the scientific rationale behind the sanctuary is questionable.  click here to read the story 08:15

Tuna prices to rise: PNA nations to lift day rate from US$6,000 to US$10,000 in 2015

The fee system had allowed Pacific nations to increase earnings from their tuna fisheries from US$60 million in 2010 to more than US$240 million last year. The PNA allocates 50,000 fishing days a year to tuna boats, with demand high from both international and local operators. Read more here 08:28