Reefs all over the world are being affected by the toxins in sunscreens (AFP Photo/ DONALD MIRALLE) |
Koror (Palau) (AFP) - Palau's pioneering ban on "reef-toxic" sunscreens took effect Wednesday as the tiny Pacific island nation introduced strict environmental measures that also include one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries.
"We
have to live and respect the environment because the environment is the nest of
life, and without it nobody in Palau can survive," President Tommy
Remengesau told AFP as the new laws took effect.
Palau,
which lies in the western Pacific about halfway between Australia and Japan, is
renowned for its marine life and is regarded as one of the world's best diving
destinations, but the government is concerned its popularity is coming at a
cost.
Remengesau
said there was scientific evidence that the chemicals found in most sunscreens
were toxic to corals, even in minute doses.
With
Palau's popular dive sites regularly packed with tourists there were concerns a
build-up of these chemicals would irreparably harm the reefs.
From New
Year's day, any reef-toxic sunscreen imported or sold in Palau will be
confiscated and the owner will be fined US$1,000.
"When
science tells us that a practice is damaging to coral reefs, to fish
populations, or to the ocean itself, our people take note and our visitors do
too," Remengesau said.
Map
locating Palau. The tiny Pacific island nation's pioneering ban on
"reef-toxic" sunscreens took effect on New Year's Day (AFP Photo/Gal
ROMA)
|
"Toxic
sunscreen chemicals have been found throughout Palau's critical habitats, and
in the tissues of our most famous creatures.
"We
don't mind being the first nation to ban these chemicals, and we will do our
part to spread the word. With better education and awareness, more
jurisdictions will have the confidence to take this necessary action.
"The
science is clear, and once that message has spread, we will be the first of
many."
Along with
the sunscreen ban, Palau’s much-touted marine sanctuary came into effect on
January 1, closing 80 percent of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to fishing
and other marine activities including mining and shark finning.
"It is
a very ambitious and worthy goal for Palau's future," Remengesau said. The
marine sanctuary prohibits commercial fishing in about 500,000 square
kilometres (190,000 square miles) of ocean.
The
legislation also requires most foreign fleets working in the limited fishing
area to land their catch in Palau and then pay an export tax.
Environment
Minister Umiich Sengebau said the law ensures Palau has first rights to
purchase fish caught in the area to satisfy the local demand before exports are
allowed.
Remengesau
said the ban was needed to "let the ocean heal" after years of mass
commercial fishing in the Pacific that has seen stocks of some species such as
bluefin tuna fall to critical levels.
It follows
Palau's establishment of the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009 to prevent
finning -- a practice that sees fish have their fins hacked off before they are
thrown back into the sea to die.
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