Breaking News! Palau withdraws from agreement with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Dermot Keane, founder of non-profit organization Palau Shark Sanctuary, who established the contact between Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Presidential Office of Palau, comments:
“While this decision came as a surprise to us, Palau Shark Sanctuary remains fully committed to the protection of Palau’s sharks and seeks full enforcement of the sanctuary declared by President Toribiong in 2009. We hope to welcome a patrol vessel to our waters very soon that will effectively support efforts to end illegal fishing in Palau.”
Palau Shark Sanctuary Dermot Keane Founder Box 7076 Koror, PW 96940, Palau phone: +680-488-7267 e-mail sharksanctuary@gmail.com www.sharksanctuary.com About Palau Shark Sanctuary Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters.
In May 2003, former Palau President Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
Palau Shark Sanctuary remains committed to the full implementation, enforcement and success of Palau’s marine sanctuary.
Breaking NEWS! Sea Shepherd send one of its vessels to patrol the territorial waters of Palau
Breaking NEWS! For immediate release!
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society supports
Palau in protection of marine sanctuary
and law enforcement
Sea Shepherd to send one of its vessels to
patrol the territorial waters of Palau
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Koror/Palau, March 31, 2011 – The support of a high-tech vessel will have a significant impact on the marine law enforcement against illegal fishing practices after Palau declared its waters a marine sanctuary.
On March 11, 2011, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, Paul Watson, President and Founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Steve Roest, Chief Executive Officer of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society signed a Memorandum of Agreement through which Sea Shepherd, a global marine conservation organization, will undertake an initial patrol campaign in the territorial waters of Palau and will provide advice in assessing options and best procedures for ongoing marine conservations operations. In addition, Sea Shepherd will fully fund the operations of its vessel M/Y Bob Barker, a former Norwegian whaler, and assets and will provide support and training to local authorities where needed or appropriate.
The well equipped conservation society taps into high-tech resources such as helicopter surveillance, drone (UAV) technology, fast interceptor boats, and radar tracking systems, putting the marine enforcement entity of Palau at par with the illegal fishing operations it is trying to fight since the implementation of the world’s first shark sanctuary in September 2009, followed by the extension to a complete marine sanctuary in November 2010.
Dermot Keane, Founder of non-profit organization Palau Shark Sanctuary, who established the contact between Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Presidential Office of Palau, and signed the Memorandum of Agreement as a witness, comments: “This is a major milestone for Palau’s conservation efforts and clearly sends the right message to the world: our nation is serious about the enforcement of our marine protection laws, and with the help of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, even small nations can make a big difference.”
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To interview Captain Watson or for general media requests, please contact the U.S. IHQ Media Department of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society:
Traci Walter or Katia Carter, phone +1-360-370-5650, media@seashepherd.org
Australia: Jeff Hansen, phone +61-409-472-922, jeff@seashepherd.org
Europe: Brigitte Scheffer, phone +44-7969-297726, brigitte@seashepherd.org or Laurens de Groot, phone +31-64-22-99-727, laurens@seashepherd.org
For image material, please visit: http://media.seashepherd.org
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Palau Shark Sanctuary Dermot Keane Founder Box 7076 Koror, PW 96940, Palau phone: +680-488-7267 e-mail sharksanctuary@gmail.com www.sharksanctuary.com About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. The Society’s mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of the planet’s delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. About Palau Shark Sanctuary Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters. In May 2003, former Palau President Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. Palau Shark Sanctuary remains committed to the full implementation, enforcement and success of Palau’s marine sanctuary.