A bill to put a ten-year moratorium on “harvesting, taking, selling, purchasing, or killing of hawksbill turtles” is signed into law today by President Tommy E. Remengesau.
Remengesau expressed his appreciation on the bill stating that he was proud to sign it into law.
He stated “the hawksbill turtle is a critically endangered animal that relies on Palau and its surrounding waters, more so than those of any other nation on earth, to nest and reproduce. It is endangered largely because of illegal poaching. Given the turtle’s significant status in the history, culture, and ecology of the Republic of Palau, it is obvious that we must do everything in our power to save it.”
Furthermore, he said “no part of the hawksbill turtle may be used for any purpose, including but not limited to trade, consumption, import, or export, except for the existing use of the traditional “toluk” or women’s money already in circulation.”
The only caveat on the bill is to allow businesses that have turtle products in their inventory two years to sell off their existing inventory.
During the two year “sell-off” period, he said, “we will ensure that our local businesses that have spent significant sums of money obtaining products that were, at the time, legal to sell, are protected.”
He also said that this is balanced by the fact that it will be illegal for these same businesses to replenish their supplies.
Penalty for violating this law can be fine as high as $20,000 and includes jail time. (L.N. Reklai/Editor)