Palau, Micronesia, SAM'S TOURS.

I'm happy to report that at least one of Palau's local newspapers has picked up on the issue of LIVE REEF FISHING as reported earlier in this blog. The most recent issue of ISLAND TIMES, http://www.islandtimes.us (islandtimes@reklai.com) carried banner headlines on the issue including comments from the Governor whom they interviewed and who stated that he will initiate a full investigation in to the alleged Live Reef Fishing activities in Kayangel State.

There are reports that the fishing operation has moved from Kayangel State but at least the wisdom of this practice seems to be in public discourse which I believe is a very positive step. I recognize and appreciate ISLAND TIMES for their efforts and assistance in shedding light and fostering local discussion on this very important issue. Thank you!

The next step is now up to local Palauan residents as to whether or not they approve of this practice and allow it to continue. I have faith that they will not.

Please send your comments to: islandtimes@reklai.com and thank them for their support in bringing community attention to bear on this important matter. Visit: www.islandtimes.us for more information.
Dermot

Following is some additional information on the issue of LIVE REEF FISHERIES:

This weekend while visiting Ngeremlengui State on the big island of Babeldaob I happened to notice the large fishing vessel whose picture appears in my original posting on Live Reef Fisheries, sitting off the dock at Ngeremlengui pier. I have heard unconfirmed reports that the fishing operations reported on in Kayangel are now or soon will be relocated to Ngeremlengui. At this time I have no further information and these reports are as yet unconfirmed. More later as I find out.

Additional reference information:

I came across the following two items by searching for Live Reef Fisheries on the website of the WORLD WILDLIFE FEDERATION (WWF) at: http://panda.org/

1. GLOBAL MAP of LIVE REEF FISHERIES TRADE:
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/expansion_of_lrfft_small.jpg

2. THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE TRADE IN LIVE REEF FISH:
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/international__lrfft_standard.pdf

Dermot

NORTHERN IRELAND:
Picked up the following two posts from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance of which Sam's Tours is a founding member. http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/

A jellyfish invasion has wiped out Northern Ireland's only salmon farm, killing more than 100,000 fish. A Northern Salmon spokesman said last week's attack could cost more than £1m. Billions of small jellyfish, known as Mauve Stingers, flooded into the cages about a mile into the Irish Sea, off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun.
The jellyfish covered an area of up to 10 square miles and a depth of 35 feet. Rescuers tried to reach the cages but the density of fish made it impossible.
Managing director John Russell said he had never seen anything like this in 30 years in the business.
It could take at least two years for the firm to recover "The sea was red with these jellyfish and there was nothing we could do about, it, absolutely nothing," he said. "It's a disaster for this company - you cannot legislate for something like this."
He says the firm could take at least two years to recover. The company has some high-profile clients, with Irish chef Richard Corrigan serving Glenarm salmon to the Queen on her 80th birthday last year as part of the BBC's Great British Menu programme.
The Department of Agriculture's fisheries division has carried out a full investigation, and talks with NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew have taken place to try to rescue the farm and save the jobs of 12 staff.
Read more and view the photos @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7106631.stm

ENGLAND & WALES:

MILLIONS OF SEA CREATURES WASH UP...ANOTHER INDICATION OF GLOBAL WARMING?
By-the-Wind Sailors on a beach in Wales

Millions of small dead jellyfish-like creatures normally found in the Azoreshave been washed ashore on South West beaches of England and Wales.

The velella velella, commonly known as By-the-wind Sailors, have been spotted this month on Devon beaches from Bantham to Exmouth and in Bournemouth. Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium said billions of the blue creatures may have been washed up this year. The creatures are native to the Azores and experts have asked if climate change is sending them further north. The harmless 4in (10cm) creatures are also found in the western Atlantic and are relatives of the Portuguese Man-of-War.

They are washed ashore in groups most years particularly along the north Cornish coast. The large finds were first reported from St Martins in the Scilly Islands in October, followed by Guernsey, the Welsh coast and north Devon. At the end of November millions were found at Portwrinkle beach in south east Cornwall and north Wales.

There was a major invasion in 1981 and in 2004 they turned up in Dorset, south Devon, and the south coast of Cornwall and right up to Islay in the west of Scotland. Their short tentacles catch very small fish and large plankton and they themselves are eaten by the Violet Sea Snails, which are seldom seen in Britain...
Read more and view the photos @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6164389.stm

AMAZING AND FRIGHTENING all at the same time! As you may know, Palau has been waging an ongoing war against illegal shark fishing and shark finning in its’ waters by foreign fishing fleets. And now I am just recently informed of yet another equally devastating threat to our marine environment, this time in the island atoll of Kayangel, Palau's most northerly island.

Apparently, Kayangel State is engaged in a LIVE REEF FISH agreement with an offshore fishing company based in Hong Kong or Taiwan to supply fresh grouper for export. While it all sounds very innocent the highly destructive practice can wipe out targeted species in a matter of months. Nearby Indonesia is already suffering the devastating effects of this absolutely unsustainable practice which has apparently destroyed formerly healthy fish populations that for generations have sustained local populations.

Amazingly, although this practice has reportedly been going on for approximately a year or so, I only found out most recently. I guess out of sight is out of mind, and the remote and sparsely populated atoll of Kayangel is a perfect place to engage in this type of behavior.

MOTHERSHIP with SOME OF THE 40 TENDERS - KAYANGEL STATE, PALAU.

The system works like this: two large fishing boats approximately 110 feet / 33 meters long that are equipped with about 40 small fishing boats are deployed full time in a small area. A set of floating pens is set up nearby to house the captured fish. Skilled foreign fishermen operating from each of the 40+ individual boats equipped with fish finders and other technology, select a reef area in search of their target species, in this case supposedly Grouper, and fish like there’s no tomorrow. I’m sure the perpetrators would like to call it environmentally friendly “Catch & Release” however, unfortunately it is not so. Instead, any groupers that are caught are placed in the floating pens and kept alive until the Mother Ship arrives to take them to market in Asia.

LIVE REEF FISH PENS - KAYANGEL STATE, PALAU.

The other by-catch is ground up and used to feed the captive groupers before they go to market and or is used to feed the 40+ foreign fishermen. Local fishermen are deprived of both food and income.

REEF FISH CATCH - KAYANGEL STATE, PALAU.

Sources familiar with this type of destructive practice have informed me that it may only take a few months at most to forever destroy long time productive fishing grounds. The destructiveness is even more accentuated by targeting a single or a very limited number of species.

REEF FISH CATCH - KAYANGEL STATE, PALAU.

While I am only now being informed of the problem, apparently this is not a practice that’s new to Palau. I’ve heard that it was attempted in Helen Reef, close to Palau’s most southern territorial limit but abandoned after about one year when long time local residents and subsistence fishermen realized the devastation. Operations then apparently moved up to Ngaremlengui State, but ceased after promises of prosperity to local fishermen never materialized.

Now the operations are apparently moved to Kayangel hopefully out of eyesight of the majority of concerned citizens who I am sure would be outraged if properly and fully informed.

So who will outwit, outplay and outlast whom? And who will be the survivor? Surely not the fish stocks of Kayangel’s reefs or the local citizens of Kayangel? And who cares anyway? Certainly not the fishing companies for as soon as Kayangel’s reefs are stripped bare this fishing company will simply relocate operations elsewhere and begin their deceit and destruction all over again.

While foreign companies may be the ones running these fisheries it is Kayangel State officials who must answer for allowing this practice, as only they can authorize it, and therefore they are accountable for the results.

Sam's SHARKS closed out the first round of the Palau Business-Government Basketball League with an impressive record of 12 Wins and 1 Loss. The SHARKS lost their opening game and then went on to dominate the first round of the series with a subsequent 12 straight wins!

The next round, an elimination series, begins this week pitting the 14 teams in the Business League against one another to determine the line up for the final play-offs. The winner of the Business League will play the winner of the Government League for the overall tournament trophy.

Last year, the SHARKS first season, they secured Third Place in the Business League and also took home the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD in large part due to their die-hard fans who never missed a game. SHARK FANS have been out in force this season too and include staff, friends and customers.

The SHARKS have a few days off before joining the next round. We're all very proud of the SHARKS and what they have accomplished thus far. We wish them well in the next round.
GO SHARKS!

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS!

We Are Only Stewards of this Planet. Image: G. Deichmann.

IN DIRECT DEFIANCE of the wishes of the international community, Japan is once again sending her whaling fleet to the Southern Oceans to kill whales, this time to include ENDANGERED HUMPBACK WHALES! The expedition is expected to kill up to 1,000 whales including humpbacks, minke whales and fin whales, all under the guise of a scientific expedition. Environmentalist groups however say that the whale meat is used commercially and is for sale in restaurants and supermarkets. One is left to wonder just how blind Japan must think the rest of the really world is?

According to reports, just last week an independent panel of legal experts concurred that Japan's whaling activities are illegal under international law, yet despite public outcry and international opposition, Japan insists on pursuing this shameful and destructive practice. Japan defends whaling as a cultural practice. Last year a reported 500 minke whales were slaughtered by the Japanese fleet, far lower than the numbers expected due to a fire onboard the fleets mothership.

As a resident of Palau, a member of Palau's dive tourism industry, and founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary Fund, I am ashamed to note that Palau has consistently voted in concert with and in support of Japan on the issue of whaling. The excuses Palau uses to defend her position ring just as hollow as the transparent excuses offered up Japan and are just as likely to insult any intelligent being.

It is well beyond time for Japan to cease the destructive practice of whaling. Likewise, it is high time for Palau to speak out loudly against Japan's whaling practices instead of rigidly supporting them.

To speak out against Palau's support for whaling, please post your comments here. Please keep commentary professional and factual so that I may forward them to government and industry bodies in Palau including BELAU TOURISM ASSOCIATION, PALAU VISITORS AUTHORITY, and the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.

For more information on Japanese whaling just search on-line. SOME RELATED LINKS:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2896712.ece

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=japan+whaling&btnG=Search+News

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Stay-home-NZ-tells-Japanese-whalers/2007/11/19/1195321642129.html

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2007/11/19/Activists_face_off_with_Japanese_whaling_industry

Sam’s Tours is very pleased to congratulate the excellent management and staff of Palau Pacific Resort on their recent selection as Asia’s Leading Diving Resort in the prestigious World Travel Awards 2007 which took place in Bangalore, India.

Poolside, Palau Pacific Resort Hotel, Palau, Micronesia. Image:GDeichmann.

“Sam’s Tours is proud to be associated with PPR where many of our diving customers stay and we congratulate the entire team at PPR on their well deserved award for excellence in service” said Sam Scott, President of Sam’s Tours.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements in all sectors of the global travel industry.
http://www.worldtravelawards.com

Palau Pacific Resort, located on the island of Ngerekebesang, Koror overlooks Palau’s western lagoon and is graced with a beautiful white sandy beach and Palau’s most spectacular sunsets. It’s a wonderful place to relax, escape and simply tune out the world. The recent opening of PPR’s Mandara Spa offers a whole new level of vacation experience to an already superb facility. “We highly recommend the Palau Pacific Resort to our customers and we are very proud of their achievements” said Dermot Keane, General Manager, Sam’s Tours. http://www.panpacific.com/Palau

Spectacular Sunsets, Palau Pacific Resort Hotel, Palau, Micronesia. Image:GDeichmann.

Sam’s Tours offers value-added Hotel-Diving Packages with Palau Pacific Resort which include complimentary roundtrip hotel transfers. Stay with the best and Dive with best! We’ll pick you up and drop you off right at PPR’s dock.

For more information please contact: reservations@samstours.com or visit www.samstours.com

Well, things are once again in full swing here in Palau for the shooting of SURVIVOR 16, the second Survivor show to be shot in Palau, Micronesia. Survivor 10 was also shot in Palau a few years ago. Helicopters are again buzzing around, shuttle boats and security boats zooming here and there, and selected locations cordoned off for filming. Across the street from Sam's Tours, SURVIVOR Base Camp is buzzing with activity almost 24/7.

It's the tourism "off-season" here in Palau so without the Survivor crew here, things around town would otherwise be pretty quiet. Local establishments like Bottom Time Bar and Grill at Sam's Tours, Kraemers Bar and Restaurant, Taj Indian Restaurant, and Drop-Off Bar are all places where Survivor crews hang out in the evenings. They're a busy bunch but also very friendly with lots of new faces from all around the world that help liven up the place. Many bring a fresh perspecitive that's good to hear!

Of course, we don't really get to talk shop with these guys 'cause everythings gotta be kept super secret until after the show airs, but that's why we have the Internet. Anyone looking for info on Survivor 16 Palau just has to spend a few minutes on Google to find all the latest gossip. I pasted a few links below that I ran across but anyone can find these and much more in a few minutes at the keyboard themselves. Guess we'll just have to wait til SURVIVOR CHINA is finished and SURVIVOR 16 Palau begins to air to really know what's going on.
http://www.claycritters.com/map/s16/survivor_16_map.htm
http://www.unofficialsurvivorguide.com
http://www.survivor.com

But SURVIVOR isn't the only "show in town"... Discovery Channel's BONE DETECTIVE series has been here for a few weeks shooting some episodes of their own. And rumors still abound that SURVIVOR Russia may shoot in Palau too!

THE BIGGER THREAT:
Palau is indeed a small place, but nonetheless there's lots going on. I just hope Palau itself can Outwit, Outlast and Outplay the growing global exposure and successfully survive the outcome by converting increased interest and exposure in to sustainable low impact - high return tourism. Sounds simple perhaps, but it's actually a major challenge.

Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr, has done much during his last seven years in office to lay a strong foundation of environmental preservation and protection intended to ensure the survival of Palau's natural resources in the years ahead. He recently masterminded the Micronesia Challenge, and just weeks ago was recognized by TIME Magazine as a global environmental hero, for his many accomplishments. With his two term limit as president about to end in 2008, there is considerable concern about successors sustaining his momentum.

While SURVIVOR 16 Palau Micronesia is but a television show, the true realities are the very real environmental challenges Palau faces as a direct resultant of global warming, illegal foreign fishing, shark finning, destruction of mangroves, and dependence on fossil fuels to name but a few.

Can Palau truly Outwit, Outplay and Outlast the mounting environmental challenges and destructive impacts that are often the result of actions and or inactions of other nations whether close by or half way round the world? Never mind "Reality TV", a much more (environmentally) foreboding show is being played "Live" right before our very eyes every day in Palau......all that's missing are the cameras to broadcast it around the world .... hopefully to an audience of responsible world leaders with the vision and courage to care and to act now. Palau, is a tiny country made up of hundreds of islands yet fully aware that no man is an island, a sentiment lost it seems on continental nations "who cannot see their damage for the seas!"

The Sam's Tours SHARKS are now 10 and 1 and holding on tightly to their first place position following their 10th win in a row on Saturday night when they defeated the team from Mason's Hardware. While Mason's team have been struggling all season, and some players may be losing the faith, at least 5 players showed up full of heart and ready to play ball!

While not the toughly contested battle we faced against the Groupers, the game was by no means a blowout either. Both sides came to play ball and above all else they came to have fun and fun they had!

Almost everyone on the SHARKS bench got a chance to play and show off their moves. With no substitutes on the sidelines to let them rest, Masons team played their hearts out for four full quarters and showed some great moves too!

The most predominant "move" from both teams on the court was lots of smiles and friendly "high-fives" when one player outplayed, outsmarted or outscored another! And the SHARK FANS were very much in the game too, with cheers and applause for every player regardless of team, who contributed and made an effort. All in all, it was a great game and a showcase of competitive spirit, mutual respect and excellent sportsmanship.
Although the SHARKS came out on top, we tip our "fins" in respect to Mason's Hardware team for playing their hearts out! Way to go!

RJ (l) and Anlloyd (r) TOPSCORING SHARKS!

Congratulations too to the SHARKS as they continue to hold on to their 1st place lead.
GO SHARKS!

Koror, Palau, Micronesia
Sam's Tours SHARK DEN!
For Immediate Release: SHARKS IN FRENZY DEVOUR GROUPERS!

The Sam's Tours SHARKS basketball team continued their unbeaten streak last night against arch-rival The Groupers, earning a 9 and 1 record to protect their first place position!

The SHARKS were looking for blood last night as last season they suffered their worst defeat against the Groupers and were later knocked out of the play-off finals in a second but very close game against the Groupers. This time around the SHARKS were really hungry for fresh Grouper, and so were the SHARK-FANS who brought out the scissors, paint brushes and cans of spray paint and spent the day making SHARK PROPS to cheer on their team. When the SHARKS and their fans showed up a the gym, the Groupers knew right away they were deep in SHARK TERRITORY....and were surrounded!

SHARKS Jason and Jake practicing their SHARKS BITE!

In the first quarter, the SHARKS circled and bumped the Groupers as they tested their prey. By the second quarter, it was clear the Groupers were running scared, but they weren't gonna give up without a fight....just what real SHARKS like!

SHARKS fan and Sam's son Max got a Grouper!

With the SHARKS on one side and SHARK FANS (chumming the waters) on the other side, there was simply no escape for the panicked Groupers as the SHARKS began expertly picking them off one by one. Swimming in ever tightening circles, the SHARKS swarming defense completely shut down the Groupers game and by the fourth quarter the SHARKS were in full frenzy, devouring every last scrap of Grouper bait! And then it was over! No more Groupers!

SHARKS and SHARK FANS post game. Check out the SHARK PROPS in the background.

After the game, the SHARKS and Friend & Fans "re-grouped" at Sam's Tours to re-live the excitment over a few cold beers and tasty pizzas. One noticeable absence was our very good friends Les and Ann from the sail boat SURRENDER who set the standards for SHARK FANS throughout our first season last year and who continue to inspire SHARKS and SHARK FANS today! Les & Ann sailed away from Palau earlier this year to continue their round the world adventure, but if you come across them anywhere, let them know they've been made HONORARY SHARKS!

GO SHARKS GO! GO SHARKS GO! GO SHARKS GO! GO SHARKS GO! GO SHARKS GO!

It's no secret that Survivor is back in Palau shooting a second show but I wonder if the contestants locked away on one of Palau's myriad islands battling it out with one another really know what they're missing?

Sam's Tours marketing agent, good friend and professional photographer Gunther Deichmann who was just in Palau for Sam's Tours recent 17th Anniversary Celebration, shared a few images with me that he just shot during his last trip. He took a flight with "Matt the Pilot" from PALAU HELICOPTERS and added some more aerials to his library and although I've seen Palau myself from the air many times, I'm still amazed by the stunning beauty of the green carpeted Rock Islands. I sure hope the contestants in SURVIVOR PALAU get a chance to enjoy Palau's real beauty when they're done with the show.

Even more amazing to me is "eye" that Gunther has. Perhaps all photographers have it, but I certainly don't. The image below was taken by Gunther while I sat and had a beer with him at RIPTIDE, a local beach bar, while we waited for the moon to rise. I was sitting looking right at this same scene but never even saw it...until he took the picture and showed me.... only then did I notice all the different lights and colors right before me. And no, the image was no touched up or edited. What you see is what you get! Gunther explained to me that although he now shoots only with digital for the past four years, it hasn't really changed a thing about HOW he shoots. "I only use the camera to record what I already see" said Gunther as he explained that his pictures are taken long before he opens the shutter.

SITTING ON THE DOCK OF A BAY - PALAU, MICRONESIA.
Gunther will conduct one of his popular PHOTO WORKSHOPS right here at Sam's Tours in April 2008. The workshop is for underwater photographers and topside photographers alike with lots of hands on time with Gunther and lots of underwater or field time too to capture your own stunning images of Palau. Dates to be posted soon. Reservations required. Stay tuned for more details or visit www.DEICHMANN-PHOTO.COM
Dermot

Sam's Tours SHARKS, our staff basketball team have been on a rampage of late, winning their last 8 games for an 8 and 1 record that puts them in first place at about the half-way point through the Government-Business League. Last night we played against the Palau Royal Resort, another very competitive team who played an excellent game. The score was neck and neck throughout the game right down to the final buzzer with the SHARKS controlling the final few minutes to score the winning points. The entire SHARKS team put up a great game with superb play and team work by Daniel, Anlyod, Jake, Flavin, Jason, Jim, Leon, Meno, Jim... but it was RJ who stole the show last night. He was just simply on fire! Credit also goes to our great fans who rocked the house with cheers, drums and catcalls to inspire the Boys! Special Thanks to Pato..... the "Cookin' Coach" who's done a great job keeping the team hot! Way to go Pato! Well done everyone and congratulations to all!

GO SHARKS GO!!!!!

Sam, who is still on the road in the U.S. following the DEMA SHOW in Florida, has been keeping close tabs on the games and sending inspirational messages to the team. Tonight we go up against the GROUPERS, a very tough rival from last years league. One game at a time is our motto...but I think the SHARKS are smelling blood! GO SHARKS!
Dermot

Sam's Tours, Palau, Micronesia: PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center.

As promised, here are a few images from the newly remodeled Sam's Tours Dive Center.

All images courtesy of our good friend Gunther Deichmann. Check out www.deichmann-photo.com for stunning images from Gunther's latest travels to Palau and elsewhere.

SAM WELCOMING EVERYONE TO THE RE-OPENING AND 17TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY:

VIEW FROM THE WATER:

ANOTHER VIEW FROM THE WATER:

VIEW FROM PARKING LOT:

RENTAL LOCKER:

COMPRESSOR ROOM: