Justice Minister Johnny Gibbons in an interview said the Remeliik in joint cooperation with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of the Marshall Island (RMI) is conducting surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone all to monitor all vessel activity in the area.
Gibbons said that the boat left for the surveillance on Nov. 16 and will be at sea for 10 days.
The minister said Palau uses Vessel Monitoring System to detect vessel operation at sea.
The three Freely Associated States have conducted joint marine surveillance and usually results to apprehension of foreign vessels illegally fishing at the country’s EEZ.
Earlier, Palau President Johnson Toribiong announced before the United Nations General Assembly , in New York, Sept. 25 that the country will become the “world’s first national shark sanctuary, ending all commercial shark fishing in its waters.
Palau urged other nations to join him in quest. Palau however has only one patrol ship to monitor its waters.
The pronouncement made by Toribiong will protect about 237,000 square miles of ocean.
President in his speech also called other nations for a worldwide ban on shark finning at the same time urged other heads of states to join him in an effort to protect the sharks.
Palau law bans commercial shark fishing, foreign fishing boats are prohibited from shark fishing, mutilation and transport within the waters of Palau.
The law imposes $250,000 fine per offense.
There are about 130 shark species found in Palau waters.
