Senate Bill 8-44, introduced by Sen. Paul Ueki have been passed on first reading on March 5.
The bill allows for the commercial fishing of sharks within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone.The bill also imposes a tax on the export of sharks and tuna-like species.The bill added that though that it will be unlawful to remove the fins or otherwise intentionally mutilate or injure any such shark.It also noted in the bill that it shall be unlawful for any person to have on board a fishing vessel shark fins that total more than five percent of the weight of sharks on board.The bill also stated that a minimum monetary or in-kind fish donation that commercial fishing companies will make to the Belau National Hospital, the aging Program within the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs or similar government agency or private , non-profit organization.The donation shall come from fish or shark caught pursuant to the Act, or revenues generated from those fish or shark.The bill however was opposed by tour and dive operators saying that the bill would destroy the shark population.
