Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (RPPL No. 9-49 of 2015). Country/Territory Palau Document type Legislation Date 2015 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to To amend Title 27 to preserve eighty percent of Palau's exclusive economic zone as the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, create a Domestic Fishing Zone in Palau's exclusive economic zone where domestic fishing will be allowed, prohibit most commercial exports of fish from Palau, and to fully implement these amendments by 2020; to amend Title 7 to more strictly monitor vessels in Palau's waters; to amend Title 40 to create an Environmental Impact Fee; and for other related purposes. Subject Environment gen., Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Environmental fees/charges Marine protected areas Basic legislation Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Institution Foreign fishing Fishing gear/fishing method Protected fishing area Fishing area Marine fishes Cartilaginous fishes Fish products International trade Allocation/quota Total allowable catch Landing Non-commercial fishing Artisanal fishing Monitoring Inspection Enforcement/compliance Offences/penalties Ecosystem preservation Marine area Protected area Geographical area Asia and the Pacific, Micronesia, Oceania, Small Island Developing States, South Pacific Abstract This Act amends title 27 PNC principally to establish the Palau National Marine Sanctuary whereby 80 percent of Palau's exclusive economic zone will be in the future a no-take area and is to be protected from all exploitation. Domestic fishing will be limited to 20 percent of Palau's exclusive economic zone and the commercial export of fish from Palau, with a limited exception for free school purse seining in the Domestic Fishing Zone, will be prohibited. A new Environmental Impact Fee is introduced to replace the current exit tax and to compensate for loss of income from (foreign) fishing activities. The Act also assigns new duties to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Tourism in respect of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, Domestic Fishing Zone and foreign fishing agreements, and aims at improved monitoring of the passage of foreign fishing vessels in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and recent treaties and agreements signed by Palau as part of region-wide enforcement efforts (including the FAO Port State Measures Agreement). The Palau National Marine Sanctuary shall comprise all of Palau's waters with the exception of the Domestic Fishing Zone and the territorial sea. Full text English Website www.paclii.org References - Legislation Implemented by Palau National Marine Sanctuary Regulations. Legislation | Palau | 2019 Keyword: Biodiversity, Bycatch, Cartilaginous fishes, Data collection/reporting, Fishery management and conservation, Fishing gear/fishing method, Fishing vessel, Foreign fishing, Business/industry/corporations, International trade, Marine fisheries, Marine fishes, Migratory species, Monitoring, Precautionary principle, Protection of species, Sustainable development, Sustainable use, Territorial sea, Food security Source: FAO, FAOLEX Executive Order No. 395 Restructuring the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Office and the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Executive Committee to strengthen implementation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. Legislation | Palau | 2017 Keyword: Environmental fees/charges, Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Institution, Policy/planning, Ecosystem preservation, Marine protected areas, Protected area Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Palau National Marine Sanctuary Amendment Act (RPPL No. 10-35 of 2019). Legislation | Palau | 2019 Keyword: Access right, Business/industry/corporations, Contract/agreement, Education, Environmental fees/charges, Fishery management and conservation, Fishing area, Fishing gear/fishing method, Fishing vessel, Foreign fishing, High seas, International trade, Landing, Tax/levy, Marine fisheries, Marine fishes, Protected fishing area, Protection of environment, Research, Special fund Source: FAO, FAOLEX