Palau Sharkens a New Era for Marine Conservation

Just when the sharks thought it was unsafe to be in the water, the nation of Palau announced a major conservation initiative this week at the United Nations, causing the sharks to collectively heave a high sigh of relief through their gills.

In a first of its kind declaration, Palau has established a shark sanctuary off its waters through a ban on commercial fishing.

Notable as well for the vast reach of the area involved in establishing this protection zone, the aquatic safe house stretches across the waters off this nation of nearly 200 islands to cover an area approximating the size of France.

World shark populations have been under increasing pressure as menus across the world have expanded to include them, their fins delivered in soup form in particular. Well over 100 different shark species live in the waters off Palau, and marine scientists and conservationists were quick to hail the move that was announced before the U.N. General Assembly.

As reported by National Geographic, Palau's president Johnson Toriboing explained to press gathered in New York the reasoning behind Palau's big splash in global conservation efforts:

"I believe the physical well-being and beauty of sharks reflects the well-being of the ocean. It is my honor and opportunity to tell the world to join me to protect these species, which are on the brink of extinction. The need to save the ocean and save sharks far outweighs the need to enjoy bowls of soup."

Photo courtesy of Tanaka Juuyoh, via Wikimedia Commons