The 'thank you' to Palau

On September 25, 2009 Palau declared itself the world's first National Shark Sanctuary and
called for an international ban on shark-finning.

We prepared this thank you to Palau for this historic and important shark-saving action.
This card is now closed to further signatures as we prepare it for submission to President Toribiong.

Also see the signatures and comments, here.

Dear President Toribiong,

We congratulate and offer our deep gratitude to you and to the people of Palau for your courageous and intelligent creation of the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau.

We agree with your statement, Mr. President, that "the strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans".

We realize this is just a beginning and we support Palau in its desire to diligently enforce, as well as seek international assistance to enforce, these new shark protections.

We also want to acknowledge the efforts of the Palaun organizations whose efforts helped to create the National Shark Sanctuary. The Belau Tourism Association, Palau Visitors Authority, and Palau Chamber of Commerce faciliated the efforts of Shark Savers and other NGOs and individuals as we sought to defeat Palau Senate Bill 8-44, which threatened to re-open commercial shark fishing. The Palau Shark Sanctuary is an NGO that has worked for years to establish the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau.

Thank you for serving as a beacon to the world as you protect the world's great treasures, the sharks and their ocean habitat.

Comments (45)

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a.m. said:

	Thank you Mr President Dear Mr President. Thank you for taking a clear stand on the protection of sharks around palau. it´s important to show the world that every country is able to establish such rules and therefore i owe you, and the people of palau, respect.
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August 28, 2010
Votes: +0

Larry Klumb said:

	... My most sincere thanks for taking the courageous act of creating a shark sanctuary in Palau. The killing must stop and this is a step in the right direction. But don't stop here, ban the taking of sharks in your waters.
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July 22, 2010
Votes: +0

chas said:

	... Australia should do the same thing
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April 10, 2010
Votes: +1

Caesar Agabao said:

	Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you President Toribiong and to the people of Palau, you not only saving the Sharks but also helping to save the Oceans. What a GREAT JOB!!! again,thank you and me,my family and friends are looking forward to visit your country on our next vacation.
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March 12, 2010
Votes: +2

Courtney deRuier said:

	SAVE THE SHARKS EXCELLENT WORK!
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March 03, 2010
Votes: +1

RICHARD MANN said:

Sanctuary Creation
President Toribiong, my hat goes off to You. ThankYou so very much for Being a True Man of politics. Politicians often go into office with Good Intentions, however, once their noses are in the trough or their hands are tied with political red tape, that all changes. Look at Our Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd & the Environment Minister, Peter Garrat. They Promised to shut down Japan's sinister Whale slaughter. I Believed them. We all Believed them. That is the ONLY reason I voted for Kevin Rudd. I didn't Care what his other policies were. The Whales are my Friends. They can Teach Us so much. Simply because They cannot create nuclear weapons, because They don't wipe out Entire Species, because They don't destroy the Environment around Them, it doesn't mean They are less Intelligent than Us. We Need to Respect the Environment, as You do. I Wish We had a Leader of this Country that has the Courage You do. Again, my Thanks go to You, for Being a Man, for Being a Hero...& quite frankly, for Being Human.

March 03, 2010
Votes: +1

Will Noble said:

	Thank You You are wonderful and just been added to one of my top places to visit (and spend money). Thank you very much!
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March 02, 2010
Votes: +0

Elle Hill said:

	Thank you Thank you
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February 25, 2010
Votes: +1

Adam and Amelia said:

	... Mr. President, These are the kinds of confident actions sharks around the world continue to need. Thank you, and thank you to Palau, for taking a stand and leading the international charge to save these beautiful creatures.
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February 10, 2010
Votes: +3

Adam and Amelia said:

	Thank You Mr. President, These are the kinds of confident actions sharks around the world continue to need. Thank you, and thank you to Palau, for taking a stand and leading the international charge to save these beautiful creatures.
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February 10, 2010
Votes: +1

Jillian Corbett said:

	THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT!!! Thank you for your brave step in the right direction. Assuredly your vision will be a template for other governments to follow. Thank you again!
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February 04, 2010
Votes: +1

André Hack said:

Thank you!
Dear Mr. President,

I had the privilege to visit Palau several years ago and I'm so glad to hear that you and your people stood up to preserve your paradise.
Thank you for your courage in becoming a great example for environmental courage in saving the sharks as one of the most vital element of sea life.
Now I believe it might be possible that even our kids will have the chance to experience the beauty of our planet and I hope that I have the chance to visit your wonderful islands again one day.

Thank you!

André

January 29, 2010
Votes: +3

Christine Ward-Paige said:

	Thank you. As a shark researcher (using diver observations), I cannot wait to see how shark populations respond to this protection. It feels great to know that there is a place in the world that protects sharks and is providing a place that I can look forward to visiting now and into the future. Palau has moved to the top of my list of places to visit - thank you! Christine.
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January 26, 2010
Votes: +1

Maria Antons-Valner said:

	... thank you
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January 18, 2010
Votes: +1

Maria Antons-Valner said:

	... thank you!
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January 18, 2010
Votes: +1

Hans Delva said:

	Thank you for your courage and strength Thank you for protecting sharks and marine ecology. I appreciate your actions and I hope you made a strong example for other political leaders. Sincerely Yours, Dr. Hans Delva
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January 15, 2010
Votes: +1

hannah stone said:

	mrs thank you! i honour your integrity in this desperate situation!
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January 13, 2010
Votes: +1

Mike Downs said:

	mr thank you 4 all you do
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January 02, 2010
Votes: +1

Martin Reiser said:

	Thank you very much Mr. President This is a sign the world needed. Stop the finning worldwide for the sake of the oceans and the world,
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December 27, 2009
Votes: +2

Nadine said:

	Danke schön für diesen wichtigen Schritt in die richtige Richtung! Ich habe gerade "Sharkwater" von Rob Stewart gesehen. Erschreckend was sich auf den Ozeanen abspielt. Menschen wie Sie sind Vorbilder und rütteln die Menschheit auf! DANKE
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December 22, 2009
Votes: +0

Jenna said:

	Thank you President Toribiong I am ever grateful for people like you. Congratulations on standing up for something. To me, the most important thing on earth. You are a hero
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December 22, 2009
Votes: +1

Ambi Fauri said:

	Thank You Mr. President I wish my President will take the same action soon, as Indonesia is one of the biggest exporter of shark fin
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December 10, 2009
Votes: +1

Arthur Koch said:

	Dear President Toribiong Dear President Toribiong, Thank you for your vision and setting a standard for other leaders to follow. Again, THANKS! Arthur Koch http://arthurkoch.wordpress.com
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December 09, 2009
Votes: +2

Micheal Tarnish said:

	dive bum Thank You for taking this step.
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December 09, 2009
Votes: +0

Jonas Eriksson said:

	Thank you Palau - a very sensible decision! I am sure many will now consider visiting your country and your change to market Palau as a sensible diving destination, instead of one of illegal fishing, will hopefully prove profitable and rewarding for your country in more ways than one. Regards, Jonas http://www.bluecodproductions.com
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November 23, 2009
Votes: +2

Guido Leurs said:

	Thanks Palau! Save sharks, Save oceans, Save Planet Earth! Thank you Palau for this great decision!! Greetings from the Netherlands
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October 23, 2009
Votes: +0

Isabel said:

Thank for Great Job Mr President
Thank you President Toribiong!
Thank you so much for showing the responsibility and political maturity to conserve our dwindling natural resources. I hold great respect for someone that can stand up against the pressures of instant gratification and support what they believe in. I hope that other countries may follow your great example and we may have a chance of saving our oceans for our children to enjoy.

It is because of your wonderful decision to make Palau's national waters a shark sanctuary.

October 21, 2009
Votes: +2

Carina Eriksson said:

	Sincere Thanks! I'd like to thank you for making the decision to protect shark habitat and in the process giving us hope that you will lead by example and get others to follow you! Can't thank you enough. Good job!
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October 20, 2009
Votes: +3

Alyssa said:

	Thank you! Enormous thank you to all those who made this possible! You are making a huge positive impact on the environment, and because of that you have earned a tremendous amount of respect from thousands of people. Please remember; you didn't just save the lives of sharks, but your own lives as well Thank you. Sincerely, Alyssa B (Toronto, Canada)
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October 14, 2009
Votes: +3

isabelle said:

	bonne chose Je suis contente une place de plus!! C'Est important de preserver l'espece des requins et le notre !!Un pas de plus de fait!!!!!On lâche pas
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October 12, 2009
Votes: +4

Mike Utsal said:

	A great example for the world Congratulations and Thank you for taking this bold and important step towards preserving a species under threat. By taking this stance you and the people of Palau have demonstrated that you understand conversation and are willing to act decisively to do the right thing... Again....congratulations. Mike (Toronto, Canada)
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +8

Jason said:

	Mr YES YES YES!!! A HUGE thank you from Sydney, Australia and the rest of the World on hearing this great news. It's so good to see the tide is changing, slowly but surely, one day ALL shark fin fishing will be outlawed and the natural balance of the Oceans will be restored.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +6

Kevin Diakiw said:

	Thank you President Toribiong You show tremendous vision and leadership sir. You, and all of Palau, have great reason to be proud. Perhaps other nations will learn from your example.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +3

Pat O'Donnell said:

	Thank You Congratulations President Toribiong, that was a very courageous and wise decision. Small steps in saving our marine life leads to large rewards.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +3

Patrick JOLY said:

	Many thanks Merci beaucoup pour la préservation des requins...et donc de nous tous pas conséquent. Best Regards from France
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +2

Kris Custer said:

Thank you President Toribiong!
Thank you so much for showing the responsibility and political maturity to conserve our dwindling natural resources. I hold great respect for someone that can stand up against the pressures of instant gratification and support what they believe in. I hope that other countries may follow your great example and we may have a chance of saving our oceans for our children to enjoy.

It is because of your wonderful decision to make Palau's national waters a shark sanctuary that my fiance and I have decided to honeymoon in Palau.

Thank you again! See you soon!

October 08, 2009
Votes: +5

Josh Quercia said:

	Thank You I am seven and you have helped to save our planet through saving the sharks.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +3

Daphanie Ngirachelsau said:

	Thank you Thank you Mr. President
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +1

Sarosh Kumana said:

	President Dear President Toribiong, Thank you for your forward-thinking and inclusive policy, setting a standard for other leaders to follow. Sharks have just as much right to inhabit the oceans unmolested as humans do on land.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +3

Arif CEM said:

	... For all sharks. Thanks. From Turkey with love.
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October 08, 2009
Votes: +4

John Henderson said:

	Great Job Mr President I had the honor of meeting you on Pelelui at the 65Th anniversary were my Dad landed with The first wave onto white beach with the 5th Marine Regiment.I just want to thank you for all your hard work on making Palau the first Shark Sanctuary,I have made Palau my second home and will continue to return with my family in the years to come.Thanks again.
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October 01, 2009
Votes: +4

Brian Richardson said:

	Thank You Congratulations President Toribiong Your vision and stance will greatly benefit Palau and its environment. Please keep the momentum going.
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September 30, 2009
Votes: +5

Marc Bauman said:

	Thank you President Toribiong! What a tremendous declaration for Palau and its people! Your courageous decision to take a stand will provide a long lasting sustainable benefit to all Palauan's. Both your speech at the UN and your commitment to the conservation of your countries resources should be commended by Palauan's and foreigners alike. WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT!!!
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September 30, 2009
Votes: +2

Sarah Klain said:

	Graduate Student, UBC This is an exciting start to conserving sharks in the Western Pacific. However, the cost of monitoring Palau's EEZ is and will continue to be high. The cost of marine law enforcement should be part of the annual tuna licensing fees paid by the long lining boats.
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September 30, 2009
Votes: +1

Mark Thorpe said:

	Thank you Sir Thank you for your insight and courage. Making a stand to protect sharks is a worthwhile and courageous stand, one that deserves full recognition. Thank you again, Mr. President.
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September 30, 2009
Votes: +5

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a.m. said:

Larry Klumb said:

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Will Noble said:

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