| The 'thank you' to Palau |
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On September 25, 2009 Palau declared itself the world's first National Shark Sanctuary and called for an international ban on shark-finning. We prepared this thank you to Palau for this historic and important shark-saving action. Also see the signatures and comments, here.
Dear President Toribiong, We congratulate and offer our deep gratitude to you and to the people of Palau for your courageous and intelligent creation of the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau. We agree with your statement, Mr. President, that "the strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans". We realize this is just a beginning and we support Palau in its desire to diligently enforce, as well as seek international assistance to enforce, these new shark protections. We also want to acknowledge the efforts of the Palaun organizations whose efforts helped to create the National Shark Sanctuary. The Belau Tourism Association, Palau Visitors Authority, and Palau Chamber of Commerce faciliated the efforts of Shark Savers and other NGOs and individuals as we sought to defeat Palau Senate Bill 8-44, which threatened to re-open commercial shark fishing. The Palau Shark Sanctuary is an NGO that has worked for years to establish the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau.
Thank you for serving as a beacon to the world as you protect the world's great treasures, the sharks and their ocean habitat. Comments (41)
RICHARD MANN
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Sanctuary Creation President Toribiong, my hat goes off to You. ThankYou so very much for Being a True Man of politics. Politicians often go into office with Good Intentions, however, once their noses are in the trough or their hands are tied with political red tape, that all changes. Look at Our Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd & the Environment Minister, Peter Garrat. They Promised to shut down Japan's sinister Whale slaughter. I Believed them. We all Believed them. That is the ONLY reason I voted for Kevin Rudd. I didn't Care what his other policies were. The Whales are my Friends. They can Teach Us so much. Simply because They cannot create nuclear weapons, because They don't wipe out Entire Species, because They don't destroy the Environment around Them, it doesn't mean They are less Intelligent than Us. We Need to Respect the Environment, as You do. I Wish We had a Leader of this Country that has the Courage You do. Again, my Thanks go to You, for Being a Man, for Being a Hero...& quite frankly, for Being Human. |
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Will Noble
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Thank You You are wonderful and just been added to one of my top places to visit (and spend money). Thank you very much! |
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Adam and Amelia
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... Mr. President, These are the kinds of confident actions sharks around the world continue to need. Thank you, and thank you to Palau, for taking a stand and leading the international charge to save these beautiful creatures. |
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Adam and Amelia
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Thank You Mr. President, These are the kinds of confident actions sharks around the world continue to need. Thank you, and thank you to Palau, for taking a stand and leading the international charge to save these beautiful creatures. |
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Jillian Corbett
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THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT!!! Thank you for your brave step in the right direction. Assuredly your vision will be a template for other governments to follow. Thank you again! |
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André Hack
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Thank you! Dear Mr. President, I had the privilege to visit Palau several years ago and I'm so glad to hear that you and your people stood up to preserve your paradise. Thank you for your courage in becoming a great example for environmental courage in saving the sharks as one of the most vital element of sea life. Now I believe it might be possible that even our kids will have the chance to experience the beauty of our planet and I hope that I have the chance to visit your wonderful islands again one day. Thank you! André |
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Christine Ward-Paige
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Thank you. As a shark researcher (using diver observations), I cannot wait to see how shark populations respond to this protection. It feels great to know that there is a place in the world that protects sharks and is providing a place that I can look forward to visiting now and into the future. Palau has moved to the top of my list of places to visit - thank you! Christine. |
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Hans Delva
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Thank you for your courage and strength Thank you for protecting sharks and marine ecology. I appreciate your actions and I hope you made a strong example for other political leaders. Sincerely Yours, Dr. Hans Delva |
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Martin Reiser
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Thank you very much Mr. President This is a sign the world needed. Stop the finning worldwide for the sake of the oceans and the world, |
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Nadine
said:
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Danke schön für diesen wichtigen Schritt in die richtige Richtung! Ich habe gerade "Sharkwater" von Rob Stewart gesehen. Erschreckend was sich auf den Ozeanen abspielt. Menschen wie Sie sind Vorbilder und rütteln die Menschheit auf! DANKE  |
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Jenna
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Thank you President Toribiong I am ever grateful for people like you. Congratulations on standing up for something. To me, the most important thing on earth. You are a hero |
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Ambi Fauri
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Thank You Mr. President I wish my President will take the same action soon, as Indonesia is one of the biggest exporter of shark fin  |
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Arthur Koch
said:
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Dear President Toribiong Dear President Toribiong, Thank you for your vision and setting a standard for other leaders to follow. Again, THANKS! Arthur Koch http://arthurkoch.wordpress.com |
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Jonas Eriksson
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Thank you Palau - a very sensible decision! I am sure many will now consider visiting your country and your change to market Palau as a sensible diving destination, instead of one of illegal fishing, will hopefully prove profitable and rewarding for your country in more ways than one. Regards, Jonas http://www.bluecodproductions.com |
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Guido Leurs
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Thanks Palau! Save sharks, Save oceans, Save Planet Earth! Thank you Palau for this great decision!! Greetings from the Netherlands |
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Isabel
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Thank for Great Job Mr President Thank you President Toribiong! Thank you so much for showing the responsibility and political maturity to conserve our dwindling natural resources. I hold great respect for someone that can stand up against the pressures of instant gratification and support what they believe in. I hope that other countries may follow your great example and we may have a chance of saving our oceans for our children to enjoy. It is because of your wonderful decision to make Palau's national waters a shark sanctuary. |
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Carina Eriksson
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Sincere Thanks! I'd like to thank you for making the decision to protect shark habitat and in the process giving us hope that you will lead by example and get others to follow you! Can't thank you enough. Good job! |
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Alyssa
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Thank you! Enormous thank you to all those who made this possible! You are making a huge positive impact on the environment, and because of that you have earned a tremendous amount of respect from thousands of people. Please remember; you didn't just save the lives of sharks, but your own lives as well  Thank you. Sincerely, Alyssa B (Toronto, Canada) |
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isabelle
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bonne chose Je suis contente une place de plus!!  C'Est important de preserver l'espece des requins et le notre !!Un pas de plus de fait!!!!!On lâche pas |
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Mike Utsal
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A great example for the world Congratulations and Thank you for taking this bold and important step towards preserving a species under threat. By taking this stance you and the people of Palau have demonstrated that you understand conversation and are willing to act decisively to do the right thing... Again....congratulations. Mike (Toronto, Canada) |
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Jason
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Mr YES YES YES!!! A HUGE thank you from Sydney, Australia and the rest of the World on hearing this great news. It's so good to see the tide is changing, slowly but surely, one day ALL shark fin fishing will be outlawed and the natural balance of the Oceans will be restored.  |
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Kevin Diakiw
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Thank you President Toribiong You show tremendous vision and leadership sir. You, and all of Palau, have great reason to be proud. Perhaps other nations will learn from your example. |
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Pat O'Donnell
said:
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Thank You Congratulations President Toribiong, that was a very courageous and wise decision. Small steps in saving our marine life leads to large rewards. |
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Patrick JOLY
said:
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Many thanks Merci beaucoup pour la préservation des requins...et donc de nous tous pas conséquent. Best Regards from France |
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Kris Custer
said:
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Thank you President Toribiong! Thank you so much for showing the responsibility and political maturity to conserve our dwindling natural resources. I hold great respect for someone that can stand up against the pressures of instant gratification and support what they believe in. I hope that other countries may follow your great example and we may have a chance of saving our oceans for our children to enjoy. It is because of your wonderful decision to make Palau's national waters a shark sanctuary that my fiance and I have decided to honeymoon in Palau. Thank you again! See you soon! |
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Josh Quercia
said:
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Thank You I am seven and you have helped to save our planet through saving the sharks. |
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Sarosh Kumana
said:
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President Dear President Toribiong, Thank you for your forward-thinking and inclusive policy, setting a standard for other leaders to follow. Sharks have just as much right to inhabit the oceans unmolested as humans do on land. |
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John Henderson
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Great Job Mr President I had the honor of meeting you on Pelelui at the 65Th anniversary were my Dad landed with The first wave onto white beach with the 5th Marine Regiment.I just want to thank you for all your hard work on making Palau the first Shark Sanctuary,I have made Palau my second home and will continue to return with my family in the years to come.Thanks again. |
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Brian Richardson
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Thank You Congratulations President Toribiong Your vision and stance will greatly benefit Palau and its environment. Please keep the momentum going. |
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Marc Bauman
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Thank you President Toribiong! What a tremendous declaration for Palau and its people! Your courageous decision to take a stand will provide a long lasting sustainable benefit to all Palauan's. Both your speech at the UN and your commitment to the conservation of your countries resources should be commended by Palauan's and foreigners alike. WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT!!! |
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Sarah Klain
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Graduate Student, UBC This is an exciting start to conserving sharks in the Western Pacific. However, the cost of monitoring Palau's EEZ is and will continue to be high. The cost of marine law enforcement should be part of the annual tuna licensing fees paid by the long lining boats. |
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Mark Thorpe
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Thank you Sir Thank you for your insight and courage. Making a stand to protect sharks is a worthwhile and courageous stand, one that deserves full recognition. Thank you again, Mr. President. |
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