Community members are concerned about the lack of consultation, the focus on money and the surprising support of a major environmental nonprofit.
When Palau announced it would ban all international fleets and cut off most of its waters to fishing in 2015, it was lauded as a leader in conservation. But its government is now citing pandemic-related economic woes to justify reopening up to 70% of its waters, just over two years since the sanctuary took effect.
Community groups are protesting the pending rollback, criticizing their government for a lack of consultation and evidence while questioning the level of involvement of an international environmental nonprofit in the process.
The bill introduced in March in the Pacific island nation’s House of Delegates specifically cites the involvement and support of The Nature Conservancy in its bid to ease the sanctuary’s restrictions. And as politicians point to economic recovery and food security among their justifications for the move, the community is calling their motives into question.
Palauans Are Protesting A Plan To Roll Back Their National Marine Sanctuary
When Palau announced it would ban all international fleets and cut off most of its waters to fishing in 2015, it was lauded as a leader in conservation. But its government is now citing pandemic-related economic woes to justify reopening up to 70% of its waters, just over two years since the sanctuary took effect.
Community groups are protesting the pending rollback, criticizing their government for a lack of consultation and evidence while questioning the level of involvement of an international environmental nonprofit in the process.
The bill introduced in March in the Pacific island nation’s House of Delegates specifically cites the involvement and support of The Nature Conservancy in its bid to ease the sanctuary’s restrictions. And as politicians point to economic recovery and food security among their justifications for the move, the community is calling their motives into question.
Palauans Are Protesting A Plan To Roll Back Their National Marine Sanctuary