Overview:
A finless shark found foam cooler drifting near Meyuns Causeway this week has renewed concerns that illegal shark fishing continues in Palau’s waters despite the country’s long-standing shark sanctuary law.
By L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Evidence of ongoing illegal shark fishing surfaced this week, reigniting concerns about poaching in Palau’s protected waters despite a 2009 law that established the country as a shark sanctuary.
At around 9 a.m. Monday, a white foam cooler drifted ashore near Meyuns Causeway, drawing attention from passersby. Inside were decomposing stingrays and a shark with its fins removed — a clear indication of illegal shark finning activity.
A witness who reported the discovery said the container appeared to have been at sea for more than two days before washing ashore.
The find comes 15 years after Palau became the world’s first nation to designate all of its waters as a shark sanctuary, prohibiting the fishing, finning, or possession of sharks. The law was hailed internationally as a landmark step in ocean conservation.
Sharks, as apex predators, play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Scientific studies have shown that they regulate food webs and prevent overgrazing of seagrass beds and coral reefs — vital habitats that support countless marine species.
The recent discovery has renewed public concern about enforcement and compliance within Palau’s exclusive economic zone, where illegal fishing activities have occasionally been reported despite strict prohibitions.