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.