126 dead sharks confiscated in Palau

6th August, 2009, Australian Navy Fisheries protection vessel monitoring Palauan waters apprehends a Phillipino fishing vessel 200 miles west of Palau, there were 2 boats, one escaped.

Both were fishing solely for sharks illegally.

126 shark "logs" were unloaded with evidence showing that a lot of smaller individuals bodies had been disgarded and only the tiny juvenile fins kept all bundled in over 15 potato sacks.

I was asked to take photos and help with some DNA sampling by the Micronesian Shark Foundation.

Truly another sad day for Palau, often in the media's spot light when it comes to shark finning and shark sanctuaries, and still it seems teetering on the edge of a decision that will allow the accelerated fishing of this already depleted fauna.

Illegal Shark Fishing Continues in Palau

Like they say, they'd only get away with this because powerful people at the top are letting them.

Oh and Richard you comment about not wanting to post here because everyone is sick of hearing about these things may have foundation. I noticed the topic was viewed 156 times yet no one commented.

Perhaps we're all a little 'shell shocked' or people are becoming blase about the whole shark fining thing.

Really, really sad. So much for me ever returning to dive Palau...

Actually it's the other way round. If we avoid Palau, then the finners win. It is the dive industry that keeps the sharks alive.

I agree Drew, it's only when people care that things can change, if we give up now and throw our hands up in the air in resignation, the sharks are doomed, and so is the diving industry and main income for Palau.

PIG, I think it's because people have read about it so many times before, many people who have read this thread have never been to Palau, never experinced how incredible it is and don't know what they are missing so cannot possibly appreciate how bad it would be if the finners win here.

Palau could be one of the few places in the world where you can see sharks in abundance, they breed here, just this March the female Greys were cut to ribbons by the amorous pursuits of males at Blue Corner. At another site over 50 juvenile Greys can be seen. The problem lies where the males then leave the protection of the inner reef systems and wander unwittingly into the areas that are fished legally and illegally, we can protect the females but not the males.

Interestingly we went out today with the Micronesia Shark Foundation to retrieve some of the acoustic receivers that were positioned in shark hotspots after selected individuals were tagged. After these latest shark killings I was afraid I wouldn't see any. We should get the data back in a few weeks so watch this space.

Lets hope the prosecution of this fishing boat's owners is so servere it sends a message to all other boat operators that Palau is not going to surrender its sharks to anyone and if you do get caught expect apocalyptic retribution. The risk will outweigh the possible reward.

Keep up the fight!

Richard

My perspective is that if we support the dive industry (read: economy) in Palau then we are sending a message that we will support their economy regardless of sharks or no sharks, thus the average resident of Palau would have no reason to invest energy into blocking shark finning in their seas. Diving tourism obviously is a major chunk of their economy and this trickles down to everyone on the island. If the average Palau resident feels the economic pinch caused by a decrease in diving tourism, then perhaps they will stand against the elements in government trying to unravel the laws against shark finning. If dive tourists continue to spend money even as sharks are being poached, I doubt the average Palau resident would contribute their time and energy in saving sharks because humans tend to take the path of least resistance. Now if Palau was inhabited by the 10,000+ members of Wetpixel, I would guess this would be a different story completely...

That's where the difference is. If you MAKE SURE the Palauan government know you are not going to go because of the fishing then and then not balk when they charge another $15 per head to pay for a patrol boat then it's effective. Silent protest is not effective.

The incredible consumption of shark based products is what drives the industry.

The consumers need to be told that the meat can contain potentially toxic levels of Mercury that causes ill health, fertility problems, birth defects etc

Dispel the myths that you will be more healthy and it makes you more viril and see how much is bought then....

I think people care but many are not where to start. Even before our trip to Palau this summer when I heard about the proposal for shark fishing I wrote the powers at be in Palau. I just wrote our soon to be former Governor who is now the Ambassador to China as him not to eat shark fin soup. I think people will make an effort they just need some direction.

Very sad indeed. I was in Palau in January and was amazed at the small number of sharks we encountered over the week compared to what I had always heard about Palau. We were also told then about two boats that had recently been caught with sharks onboard.

I am headed to Palau next month and really hope to see schooling sharks like I had heard about over the past years.

Mike L hopefully you'll be in luck as I've checked my photos from last August and I have shots of about 100 grey reefs schooling/mating at blue corner.

Mike L hopefully you'll be in luck as I've checked my photos from last August and I have shots of about 100 grey reefs schooling/mating at blue corner.

Show off!

But you are right, the densities and distribution changes, part of the work we are doing with the micronesia Shark foundation. Interestingly a male grey and a female with bite marks seen recently, separate locations but shows some action.....lurve action!

I agree Drew, it's only when people care that things can change, if we give up now and throw our hands up in the air in resignation, the sharks are doomed, and so is the diving industry and main income for Palau.

PIG, I think it's because people have read about it so many times before, many people who have read this thread have never been to Palau, never experinced how incredible it is and don't know what they are missing so cannot possibly appreciate how bad it would be if the finners win here.

Palau could be one of the few places in the world where you can see sharks in abundance, they breed here, just this March the female Greys were cut to ribbons by the amorous pursuits of males at Blue Corner. At another site over 50 juvenile Greys can be seen. The problem lies where the males then leave the protection of the inner reef systems and wander unwittingly into the areas that are fished legally and illegally, we can protect the females but not the males.

Interestingly we went out today with the Micronesia Shark Foundation to retrieve some of the acoustic receivers that were positioned in shark hotspots after selected individuals were tagged. After these latest shark killings I was afraid I wouldn't see any. We should get the data back in a few weeks so watch this space.

 

Lets hope the prosecution of this fishing boat's owners is so servere it sends a message to all other boat operators that Palau is not going to surrender its sharks to anyone and if you do get caught expect apocalyptic retribution. The risk will outweigh the possible reward.

 

Keep up the fight!

Richard

Hi Richard,

I'm writing this from Chile South America, just to let you know that there is people all around the world that cares and appreciates the work that you are doing.

We are just starting to comprehend the importance of sharks for the ecosystem.

Keep up the good work!!!

Regards,

Andres.

I hate to say this but i have just heard there has been a SECOND fishing boat caught in palauan waters with around 100 DEAD SHARKS onboard. No other details yet, whether it was operating illegally, species or WHO OWNS IT.

We need to find the answer to this last question quickly.

Unbelievable yet sadly true

Back when i lived there there was a fleet of over 300 foreign fishing boats operating legally in Palau, who knows how many illegal ones.

I think these two boats are just the tip of an iceberg unfortunately, the ones that were unfortunate to get caught...

Back when i lived there there was a fleet of over 300 foreign fishing boats operating legally in Palau, who knows how many illegal ones.

 

I think these two boats are just the tip of an iceberg unfortunately, the ones that were unfortunate to get caught...

We were at Sias Corner today and there was one shark. I fear that as the rest of the world's shark populations crash, focus is increasing on Palau and not enough is being done to track down the guilty parties.

It could be over before we even realise who is responsible and then it's too late, I have my suspicions as the same name keeps coming up.

It is sad to see so many dead sharks but it might (hopefully) indicate that the authorities are after those illegal fishing operations...

It is sad to see so many dead sharks but it might (hopefully) indicate that the authorities are after those illegal fishing operations...

The authorities are doing their very best here, the Australian Navy loans (I think) two parol boats to monitor,patrol and apprehend any suspicious or illegal fishing vessels. There was also a time recently where a plane was going up with advanced long range radar at night to locate any of the same.

Officially the authorities are doing something but I wonder if there is a lot that goes under the radar just because it is closer to home and untouchable.....

The authorities are doing their very best here, the Australian Navy loans (I think) two parol boats to monitor,patrol and apprehend any suspicious or illegal fishing vessels. There was also a time recently where a plane was going up with advanced long range radar at night to locate any of the same.

Officially the authorities are doing something but I wonder if there is a lot that goes under the radar just because it is closer to home and untouchable.....

The first fishing vessel turned up a load more bodies, 100 that were stashed in a hidden deck, so more photos and DNA samples to be taken tomorrow am.

My brother Ben has been working for years on trying to help stop shark fin poaching. He currently is in a competition to get a National Geographic Grant (his second for shark finning) to help start a new conservation area in Central America. If anyone would like to help sharks, this is a great opportunity! Thanks!

Ben Horton - National Geographic Young Explorer