20 Feb 2020

Calls for rethink of open season on protected fish species in Palau

From , 5:01 am on 20 February 2020

Palau's President, Tommy Rememgesau Jr, wants the Senate and House of Delegates to rethink plans to allow a limited season to fish for the threatened Napoleon Wrasse and the Bumphead Parrot Fish.

The Napoleon Wrasse is on the CITES endangered species list and the Bumphead Parrot Fish is also considered a vulnerable species.

There has been pressure for some years to end the fishing bans first imposed in 1994 and early this year a measure that had previously failed has been accepted by both houses.

But the President has sent the legislation back, asking for amendments and more study into the Napoleon Wrasse, which our correspondent Bernadette Carreon says is regarded as an iconic fish in Palau.

The President of Palau Tommy Remengesau Jr.

The President of Palau Tommy Remengesau Jr. Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta