The president of the tiny nation of Palau in the Pacific Ocean
has declared that the entirety of the exclusive economic zone that surrounds it will become a marine protected area.
Tommy Remengesau Jr announced at a UN meeting on Healthy Oceans and Seas that all commercial fishing will be banned in the region to combat overexploitation of the world's fish populations. "Once thought to be limitless, more than 80 percent of global fish stocks are now fully or overexploited," Remengesau Jr said. "Reckless and destructive fishing practices, overfishing, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing have robbed us of our resources. They must be stopped."
Setting aside marine protected areas is the course of action recommended by most ocean scientists, who point to evidence showing how effective it can be at protecting multiple species at the same time. In marine reserves, population ecologists see substantial increases in the numbers of large fish and a stabilisation of the populations of smaller fish.
Despite the prevention of fishing in the protected seas, which include the world-famous Jellyfish Lake, Remengesau said he expects this to have a positive effect on his country's bank balance. "Palau's world-renowned waters are among the most diverse in the world," agreed Seth Horstmeyer, a director for Global Ocean Legacy. "A large marine sanctuary would both protect this incredible marine life and further elevate Palau as a prime ecotourism destination, helping to grow the nation's economy."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
