Palau, Micronesia, SAM'S TOURS.

congrats!!!kip it up!!!
to rj i mis you!!!!

GO SHARKS!!! Wish I were there to cheer. Julie

Education most of all, but then again there's no cure for ignorance. money in any amount clouds peoples minds and the ability of judgement. we can blame the Asians but most of all if they are there legally then i guess the blame is not really on them, cause like that saying "it takes two to tango". its sickening to see this on the internet, even sadder to know that it's been ongoing. well let me correct myself it's sad for me cause i knew about this operations but never did pay them any mind, guess like you said out of sight out of mind. but for me i think the best solution for this proplem is mainly depending on the people of Palau, "TO WAKE UP" if it's money that we supposedly after where is it,and is our sacrifice worth it.

I was searching to see a good news about Palau and I came across this site and I read it. It's really sad to see an article about my home that these foreigner come here and fish and earned their money.They also polluted our water and do what ever they wanted before they leave.Are the people of Kayangel do not care about what will happen if we loose our fish for ever, and what about our young generation,is'nt this matter to anybody in Kayangel.

Sicerly,
Adelina Otei Buckmaster

Dear folks
Alii. Many years ago I did one of the first articles (for OCEAN REALM magazine) on the Raja Ampat islands of West Papua. There I personally witnessed the devastation that live reef fishing can cause. Many significant species...grouper, coral cod, bumphead parrotfish...all had largely disappeared (and are gone to this day) from the islands because of the destructive practice of live reef fishing.
Mother ships would sneak down from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other ports to pick up the largely illegal pen-held fish, then dash back north before Indonesian fisheries authorities could catch them. It was the local people who went to jail. At most, they were paid a pittance compared to what the fish they penned eventually sold for in fancy restaurants in China. To this day, the reefs have not recovered.
What happens is that the largest and most productive fish are removed from the reef community. Not only does this severely damage the populations of penned fish by removing the best breeders, but the ecology of the entire reef system is thrown out of whack, often to devastating effect. Furthermore, those engaged in the trade invariably catch more than they are supposed to. The overall effects can be even more damaging than shark finning.
I will be in Palau in January, to go with an expedition to northern Palau and onward to Ngulu, Fais, Ulithi, and Sorol. We will also be diving Kayangel, and I will have the opportunity to personally survey any damage caused by this practice.
Regards,
Alan Dean Foster
Prescott, Arizona USA
(P.S: I am the editor of the book, SHORT STORIES FROM SMALL ISLANDS - TALES FROM PALAU, which you may find in your local library and at the museum bookstores).

Thank you for bringing this to light and thanks to responsible journalism.

I remember as a boy going to different fishing spots with my father to get specific types of fish throughout the year. That doesn't happen anymore because the fish are not there anymore.

Those that run the operations should be forced to publicly explain themselves. It is maddening and insulting to have our means of subsistence abused like this just so some restaurant in HK or wherever can serve a grouper for $60 a plate or something ridiculous.

Furthermore, those that have brought these companies in, and I mean the locals that have brought them in to fish our waters should be dealt with severely.

I want my kids to enjoy fishing our waters and experience the same things that I experienced growing up fishing and living in Palau.

Thanks again and keep it up.

Call Geraldo! Let the American Media know about this Get the Press from US of A and then you will get results Good luck to you and all of your efforts

Hi Matt, Thanks for your comments. This particular Live Reef Fishing is to supply restaurants in Asia with live reef fish for consumption. It is not associated at all with the Aquarium trade. I was just in Ngeremlengui State this weekend and noticed the vessel shown in my post is now at the pier here. I've had reports that operations are now being relocated from Kayangel back to Ngeremlengui, but I at this stage I don't have any confirmations or details.
Dermot

Does this have anything to do with the aquarium trade? Or are the grouper being "live fished" for freshness in foreign markets? Very interested to know, as there is a
LARGE difference between the two industries. Please write me back if you get a chance.

Dear sir:
I have came to read this article through the link from FiNS, and after I have read your article, I think as a diver, I would like to help.

I when to Palau last Dec. and that is why I have deep feelings after reading.

Here I have a suggestion for this issue. This article should be translated to different languages and sent to autorities or prints like magazines.

For myself, I think atleast a Chinese translation should be done. Since last visit to Palau, I met Taiwanese guide Harry, he should be able to help. If not, I can try my best to translate it for u.(Under your permition ofcourse)

If you are interested in doing this, please contact me through mail.

Happy diving

I think Japan, and Palau's government for backing (sucking up to???) Japan, should get its act together. Don't they know that they're killing the earth and the ocean. They're fulfilling only their own needs with no thought to future generations or nature in general...a society that kills its grandchildren to feed its children.
What you're killing can't be replaced...and don't use the excuse that "it's for scientific purpose"...bs to that!!
Kudo's for Sam's Tours for taking the initiative to speak up!!!!

Do the Japanese not realize that it is fulifilling only its own needs with no thought to future generations or nature in general...a society that kills its grandchildren to feed its children.

When will they wake up and realize that "extinct is extinct".

No respect to the Japanese from me!!!

I think there should be a global boycott of Sushi and all Japanese Restaurants until the whaling stops. The Japanese may be bold enough to risk international displeasure, but I certainly can do without Sushi for as long as it takes and perhaps the Japanese restaurant owners will express their displeasure to their comrades who might pay attention to that.

Hi D-Man

These are really devastating news. Are there any actions taken against this ? What is the government doing ?

Warm regards
Tine

Thanks Julie! The SHARKS send their regards and we look forward to seeing you again in January. Happy Holidays!
Dermot

Congratulations to the Sharks! I'll be at your games in late January.
Julie

Holidays
Great information, enjoyed checking it, thanks

Can you contact me at the email address? I'd like to talk with you about maybe publishing your piece if you're willing.

Nice work guys,

Just returned from my 7th year running to Sam's as while the service remains excellent and friendly as always, the new set up is quite an improvement over what was already pretty nice.

The flow from Pro Shop, rental room, gear locker to boat is now even more seemless.

A great job on the improvements all, congratulations!

Matt

Congratulations! Can't wait to see the new facilities in person