Palau -- the award-winning destination

Palau Visitors Authority, along with seven local tourism industry operators, attended the Marine Diving Fair that was held in Tokyo, Japan from April 5th to 7th 2013. The Marine Diving Fair is an annual consumer show that attracts avid divers and leisure travelers alike from all over Japan in search of preferred exotic and naturally pristine destinations, such as Palau, for their next vacation trips.

In light of another successful Marine Diving Fair seeing over 50,000 visitors to the event, Palau Visitors Authority and the participating seven tourism operators witnessed Palau as a proud recipient of the following Dive & Travel Awards:
• Dive & Travel Awards 2013: 1st Prize for “Best Diving Area, Oversea” - PALAU
• Dive & Travel Awards 2013: 2nd Prize for “Dreaming Area” - PALAU

Ms. Ngedikes Anna Hideo, First Secretary; Embassy of the Republic of Palau in Japan was present at the award ceremony to accept the awards for and on behalf of the Republic of Palau.

For a successful Marine Diving Fair 2013, PVA wishes to thank the followings:
• Ms. Hideo, ROP Embassy in Japan
• Carp Island Resort
• Dolphins Pacific
• IMPAC Tours
• Palau Sport
• Palasia Hotel Palau
• Palau Pacific Resort
• Palau Royal Resort
• United Airlines

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About Palau: Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants and was the world’s first official Shark Sanctuary, setting the pace for many other destinations to follow suit. Consistently ranked as one of the world's best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water features and beaches as well as the world famous, swim friendly Jellyfish Lake and Rock Islands, which was recently inscribed onto United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. With 1,450 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have called Palau the "8th Natural Wonder of the World", while others have identified Palau as "One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World." For more information about Palau, please visit www.visit-palau.com

PALAU'S PRESIDENT PROPOSES NEW MARINE SANCTUARY

Palau's President Tommy Remengesau has proposed banning all commercial fishing in the Pacific nation's waters to create one of the world's largest marine reserves, covering an area roughly the size of France.

President Remengesau, who was elected last November, says a commercial fishing ban could help Palau earn more money from tourism than it currently gets from tuna fleets.  He says his vision is for an area "so well protected" that Palau would become the world's largest marine sanctuary.

"No longer will Palau be merely a shark sanctuary, it will be a sea sanctuary that protects all marine wildlife within Palau's exclusive economic zone (EEZ)," President Remengesau said.

Palau won international acclaim when it created the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009.

Palau's EEZ covers almost 630,000 square kilometers of the northern Pacific, including world-renowned scuba diving and snorkeling sites.

The nation of 300 islands, with a population of about 21,000, has generated negligible revenue from foreign fishing vessels plying its waters.

However, Palau has only one ageing patrol boat and President Remengesau has conceded enforcing any commercial fishing ban will be difficult.

Natural Resources Minister Umiich Sengebau says Palau earns about $5 million a year from the fishing industry, with about $4 million coming from tuna fishing, which is dominated by vessels from Japan and Taiwan.

"The president feels that Palau is short-changed," Sengebau said.  He commented that Palau licensed a total of 129 foreign fishing vessels in 2010 but Pacific island nations received only a fraction of the income generated by tuna captured in their waters.

President Remengesau said the Asian Development Bank estimated the global tuna industry was worth $4 billion a year and only nine per cent went to Pacific nations, where most of the fish are caught.

"Revenue received from commercial fishing licences and taxes from commercial fishing is a drop in the bucket compared to the profits made by large fishing companies," he said.

"An EEZ-wide no commercial fishing zone would mean that only sustenance fishing by Palauan residents and tourism-related sport catch-and-release fishing would be permitted."

President Remengesau said the proposal is in its early stages and the government would look at alternative revenue sources before implementing it, particularly tourism.  "Some of that revenue will be recovered simply through the increase in tourism that results from the incredible marine biodiversity that will be protected by our sea sanctuary," he said.

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About Palau: Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands with about 20,000 inhabitants and was the world’s first official Shark Sanctuary, setting the pace for many other destinations to follow suit. Consistently ranked as one of the world's best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water features and beaches as well as the world famous, swim friendly Jellyfish Lake and Rock Islands, which was recently inscribed onto United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. With 1,450 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have called Palau the "8th Natural Wonder of the World", while others have identified Palau as "One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World." For more information about Palau, please visit www.visit-palau.com.

Prince Albert of Monaco in Palau

Last 11th of March, Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife, Princess Charlene, came to visit Palau as part of their Pacific Tour.

Etpison Museum, with NECO Marine dive shop as one of the local sponsors, runs an education program called "Palau Dugong Awareness campaign" with main goal to educate Palauans about the dugong, Palau's most endangered marine species, survey their feeding grounds and daily routes, and work with local government agencies to improve enforcement on illegal poaching. Indeed, Palauans still hunt and eat dugongs, and poaching remains a problem despite of local laws protecting the dugong.

One of the activities undertaken in 2011 was the publication and distribution to local schools, libraries, and government agencies of an educational booklet about these endangered mammals. In 2013, with founds from the Principality of Monaco though the United Nations Environmental Programme, a new kids booklet as well as posters were published for all 7th and 8th graders in Palau.

The distribution of those booklets to local schools  coincided with the visit of Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife, Princess Charlene, to Palau.

Prince Albert, known for his conservation efforts and donations, handed out those booklets to the kids  and made a speech announcing the importance of protecting this rare marine mammals, especially in Palau where there is a very small and isolated dugong population, with possibly only a few hundreds  animals. 

PALAU SHARK WEEK 2013 WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

The recent 2013 Palau Shark Week attracted over 70 divers from all over the world to take part in Fish ‘n Fins’ fascinating week of encounters.

Great shark dives in both new and classic dive sites were the highlights of the week as well as captivating evening presentations, which showcased a diversity of shark experts, including Dr. Meekan of AIMS on the Micronesian Shark Foundation research update, Tova Harel Bornovski of the Micronesian Shark Foundation on Shark school education in Micronesia, Adam Baske of  PEW Charitable Trusts on Illegal fishing, Kate McKay of Melbourne Aquarium, and Michael Janssen of PADI on Project AWARE and shark conservation efforts.  

The Micronesian Shark Foundation debuted a documentary of a scientific Expedition to South West Islands of Palau and the grim effects of illegal fishing on these reefs.

Shark Week Gala night with Palauan delicacies and many distinguished guests made a perfect ending to this Extravagant Shark Week. For those interested in joining Shark Week 2014, please send an e-mail to: info@fishnfins.com.

   

Fish ‘n Fins will be hosting “WREXPEDITION,” which is dedicated to Palau’s WWII  Wrecks from June 4-11, 2013.  For more information, please visit www.fishnfins.com.

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Visit by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco recently made his first visit to Palau.  On Monday, March 11, 2013, the Prince and his delegation met with officials from Palau.  On the day of their call the Prince and Princess, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene Lynette of Monaco, were escorted from their yacht by a kabekl, a traditional Palauan war canoe, to a dock in Koror. From  there  they  proceeded to the capitol building in Melekeok where the Prince met with His Excellency President Tommy Remengesau, Jr..The meeting between the heads of state was followed by an address from Prince Albert II to Palau’s congress and traditional chiefs.

During his address, the Prince noted the considerable similarities between Palau and Monaco, especially each country’s commitment to the protection of marine resources.  In recognition of the friendship between the Prince and Palau, the OEK made Prince Albert II an Honorary Citizen of the Republic of Palau through House Joint Resolution No. 9-13-1S.

After his congressional address, the Prince, who is a well-known activist for ocean protection, and his delegation continued on to Melekeok Elementary School where they distributed books and educational materials about the importance of protecting Dugongs.   The materials were published for Palau’s Dugong Awareness Campaign made possible by a grant from the United Nations Environment Program which receives funding from Monaco.

The Prince finished his official visit by attending a dinner at the Palau Pacific Resort with President Remengesau and other guests from Palau and Monaco.  During the dinner President Remengesau gave a speech acknowledging the Prince’s dedication to ocean conservation. President Remengesau also announced that he will introduce legislation to ban commercial fishing within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone and requested the Prince’s partnership in the effort to undertake this unprecedented conservation measure.

In his remarks, the Prince indicated his support of President Remengesau’s initiative and stated, “This is a huge initiative and I think it will be such a shining example for other countries. I not only commend and congratulate you but we are so proud to be at your side in Monaco for this initiative and we hope to help you carry it much further.”  To conclude the events of the day President Remengesau wished Prince Albert II a happy birthday as he will be celebrating his birthday during his stay in Palau.

JELLYFISH EXHIBITS ARE BECOMING POPULAR ATTRACTIONS NEAR + FAR

Palau’s Jellyfish Lake has long been a popular destination attraction since the early 1980s. Many claim this is the only place in the world in which humans can safely swim with Jellyfish…and it is a vast and very special “playground.”

While it is one of the most unique attractions on the planet, Jellyfish Lake is no longer the only stage in which these fascinating creatures dance for an audience.

As a matter of fact, there are several museums throughout North America that are now featuring Jellyfish displays, including such prestigious aquariums as California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium; Florida’s Key West Aquarium; and Chicago’s Shedd Aquairum; to name just a few.

So, for those that can’t travel to one of the world’s most renowned underwater destinations to enjoy the virtues of swimming/snorkeling up close and personal with Palau’s golden jellyfish (known as Mastigias) and the moon jellyfish (known as Aurelia), “arm chair travelers” can revel in sensational museum exhibits closer to home.  Just Google search “Jellyfish Exhibits” and find an underwater adventure awaiting, close to home.

However, for those that do have the means to travel to one of the “seven underwater wonders of the world,” Palau has many virtues to make the journey worthwhile.

In addition to boasting the popular Jellyfish Lake experience, Palau is known as Jacques Cousteau’s favorite scuba diving destination; became the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009; features air-, land- and water- based activities that include everything from helicopter tours, eco-adventure zipline course, ATV excursions, World War II history expeditions, Coral Reef Center and waterfall hikes to jungle river boat journeys, kayaking, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, dolphin encounters and nature’s own Milky Way “spa” nestled in the iconic Rock Islands.

Palau, Micronesia Scores High On Scuba Diving Magazine’s Top 100 Gold List 2013

Considered by industry experts and scuba diving enthusiasts as “the best of the best,” Scuba Diving Magazine’s Top 100 Gold List is a “popularity contest” where rankings are based on a total number of responses from global readers and divers.  The Top 100 Gold List features operators, resorts, live-aboards, underwater experiences (i.e., best wall, shore and wreck sites), dive bars and more.  For more specific information on the results, please visithttp://www.scubadiving.com/2013-gold-list.  Here are some of the highlights that feature our beloved scuba diving destination of Palau and many of our tour operators.

The “best” of the best (where Palau rates):

1          Best Dive Site Blue Corner, Palau

24        Best Bar Kramer’s Cafe, Palau

28        Best Dive Operator, Sam’s Tours, Palau

74        Best Dive Site, Ulong Channel, Palau

95        Best Bar, Bottom Time Bar & Grill, Sam’s Tours, Palau

Best Wall Diving
1. Palau
2. Papau New Guinnea
3. Indonesia
4. Red Sea
5. Fiji

Best Macro Diving
1. Indonesia
2. Philippines
3. Papau New Guinea
4. Palau
5. Malaysia

Best Wreck Diving
1. Chuuk
2. Palau
3. Solomon Islands
4. Tie – Bali and Queensland

Best Value of Diving Dollar
1. Philippines
2. Palau
3. Malaysia
4. Indonesia
5. Thailand

Best Advanced Diving
1. Palau
2. Fiji
3. Red Sea
4. Indonesia
5. Galapagos

Best Underwater Photography
1. Fiji
2. Tie – Maldives and Palau
4. Philippines
5. Red Sea

Best Big Animals
1. Palau
2. Maldives
3. Tie – Galapagos and Mexico
5. French Polynesia

Best Marine Environment
1. Palau
2. Fiji
3. Maldives
4. Australia
5. Red Sea

Best Overall Diving
1. Palau
2. Indonesia
3. Philippines
4. Maldives
5. Great Barrier Reef

To cast your vote for the 2014 Top 100 Gold List, go to: http://www.scubadiving.com/top100