In his letter to the Olbiil Era Kelulau, Toribiong stated that the legislative findings for Senate Bill No. 8-16 contain no scientific basis or justification for lifting the current ban. In addition, he also stressed that the lifting of the ban has no cultural basis either.
“The consumption of fish such as kemedukl and maml during the holiday season is not in my opinion a cultural or customary tradition. Contrary, there is a firm and well- established Palauan cultural and customary tradition of imposing a bul, or ban, on fishing for certain species of fish when traditional our leaders perceive that such would conserve our natural resources,” Toribiong said.
Toribiong said that unless he is presented with something more convincing that anecdote that the lifting the ban on fishing for kemedukl and maml is justified, he cannot in good faith and clear conscience sign the bill.
Parrotfish is a kind of fish found in relatively shallow tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, including Palau, where its meat is considered a delicacy. Wrasse, on the other hand, is a brightly colored marine fish in Palau that is found in shallow water habitats such as coral reefs and rocky shores.
