8 Dec 2014

Palau's shark conservation policy praised

10:11 am on 8 December 2014

Palau has been praised for taking a lead in efforts to reduce shark catches by fishing nations operating in the region.

A mix of minced fish and fish oil will be used to attract great white sharks.

A mix of minced fish and fish oil will be used to attract great white sharks. Photo: DOC

The head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, David Sheppard, made comment after the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission met in Samoa to discuss fisheries management issues.

He says he welcomes the commitment by Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan to take small but significant steps to reduce their shark catch.

The Commission has approved a conservation management measure put forward by the Forum Fisheries Agency on behalf of Pacific island members to ban either dedicated shark lines or wire traces on longlines.

He says like several other Pacific island countries, Palau has taken the bold step of declaring its waters a shark sanctuary.