Environment

Good News For Sharks - If They Live in Palau

by Barbara McPherson | September 28, 2009 at 08:51 am

203 views | 70 Recommendations | 8 comments

The president of the Pacific country, Palau, Johnson Toriboing, announced some good news for sharks. He made the announcement that the entire territory controlled by Palau will become a sanctuary for sharks. The territory can be compared in area to France.

"Located roughly 500 miles (805 kilometers) east of the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean, Palau is made up of about 200 small islands and is one of the world's smallest and youngest nations. (See map.)

But what it lacks in land, Palau makes up for in water: Its territorial waters span more than 230,000 square miles (600,000 square kilometers)—an area about the size of France.

All of that water is now safe harbor for sharks." National Geographic News

Sharks are being sought world wide to satisfy the demand for sharkfin soup. They are becoming endangered in many areas of the world oceans. Sharks are essential in maintaining the health of the ocean as they help to keep the fish populations in balance. Some areas that have practised strict conservation of sharks have found that the variety of sea life rebounds to healthy levels.

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Yuliya Talmazan

at 10:31 on September 28th, 2009

This is a very important development. I am glad something is being done to protect these animals.

Spydermonkey

at 12:15 on September 28th, 2009

The harvesting of just the fins from sharks is a horrendous practice.

After the harvest, the still living sharks are thrown back in the water ...such a waste :(

Roy C

at 12:22 on September 28th, 2009

I suppose somebody will start to farm the sharks as soon as the price goes high enough.

Spydermonkey

at 12:32 on September 28th, 2009

I'll let you get in the pin with them & play vet or what ever might need to be done for them ! :)

Also, Sharks are EXTREMELY sensitive to electrical charges, & can be driven mad by them.

anarkissed

at 14:17 on September 28th, 2009

Yay for conservation! I may not want to swim with sharks but I do recognize their right to life, just place in the world, and need for protection. Bears, wolves, coyotes, and other predators equally. You shouldn't have to be pretty to live.

Simples

at 11:15 on November 5th, 2009

Wonderful!
Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary'

Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary' | Photo 02

Xerife1

at 14:31 on November 5th, 2009

Good News For Sharks - If They Live in Palau

Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary'

Saving Whales - Saving dolphins

at 02:50 on November 6th, 2009

Stopping Demand for Shark Fin Soup in China

In 2009, WildAid and Shark Savers have come together to amplify the impact of this awareness and education campaign in China to reduce consumption of shark fin soup. This campaign will utilize cultural, athletic, and business heroes of China, including basketball legend Yao Ming, to deliver a message proven to make shark fin soup socially unacceptable.