This petition has been closed, following the September 25, 2009 announcement that Palau will ban all commercial fishing and declare a Shark Sanctuary.

President Johnson Toribiong

Senator Adalbert Eledui

Regarding: Please reject Senate Bill 8-44

Dear Sirs,

We are writing to you to express our grave concern over Senate Bill 8-44 which promises to open Palau waters to foreign commercial fishing of sharks. It is especially disturbing because in recent years, Palau has been recognized for its extremely positive and proactive protection of sharks. Palau currently has among the best shark protection laws in the world, only now being emulated by the Republic of the Maldives with its own ban on shark fishing.

We understand how Bill 8-44 may bring in some greatly needed revenue. We fail to see, however, how it will succeed in compensating for the shortfall in tourism revenue that it will certainly result as your sharks and marine ecosystem decline.

Many of the signers of this petitions are divers who have either visited Palau or keep Palau on their short list of greatly admired diving destinations. Many others signing this petition are aware of the importance of sharks to the ecosystem and the healthy balance of marine populations upon which Palau, and all of us, depend.

Palau is a country that we have come to respect for its strong and early protection of sharks. We urge you to reject this short-sighted and misguided bill. Instead, please recommit to your valued leadership position on shark conservation that attracts so much dive tourism to your waters and the world's appreciation to your people.