LEADERS from a dozen countries, states, and US territories across the Pacific Ocean are calling for oceanwide protections for sharks — a move that underscores a growing commitment to ending unsustainable shark fishing in the region. The resolution requests that all Pacific Island jurisdictions end the unsustainable commercial fishing of sharks by establishing a Pacific Islands regional shark sanctuary.
The sanctuary would extend from Palau to Hawai'i in the north and New Caledonia to French Polynesia in the south, encompassing nearly one-quarter of the Earth's surface.
The area would serve as a haven for multiple species of threatened or endangered sharks such as hammerhead and oceanic whitetip.
The leaders approved the resolution during the general assembly of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures, or APIL, in Honolulu in June.
So far, six Pacific countries and US territories have declared sanctuaries throughout 4.2 million square miles of water where commercial shark fishing is banned. The resolution asks more Pacific leaders to join the effort and calls for nations to collaborate on sanctuary best practices, including enforcement, research, education, and policies.
"Protections for sharks have to move forward," says APIL president Judi Won Pat, who is the speaker of the Guam Senate.