I would like to pass along a huge “Thank You” and “Congratulations” to the Republic of Palau for establishing the world’s first shark sanctuary by banning all commercial shark fishing within its Exclusive Economic Zone, an area encompassing roughly 230,000 square miles of ocean (roughly the size of Texas).

Palau, known worldwide as a scuba diving paradise, is now home to the world's first shark sanctuary.

The island nation’s president, Johnson Toribiong, who recently announced the establishment of the sanctuary at a meeting of the United Nations, has also called for a worldwide ban on shark fishing.

President Toribiong acknowleged the challeges of enforcing the ban on commercial shark fishing within the country’s EEZ – Palau has just one boat to patrol all of its waters – but said the idea of the sanctuary is to inspire additional shark conservation efforts around the globe.

Palau’s shark sanctuary will provide a safe haven for over 130 species of sharks, including great hammerheads, leopard sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks.

"Great Hammerhead" - available as cellphone wallpaper from Myxer.com

For more information, read this recent article from USAToday.

Cheers!