Palau’s President Tommy Remengesau Jr. has signed into law the Protected Area Network (PAN) which endorses and supports the Micronesia Challenge. The resulting law further solidifies Palau's leadership and commitment to marine conservation since the declaration of the Micronesian Challenge and establishes financial provisions for funding the protected areas network with a US$30 environmental “green fee” departure fee. This new levy is in addition to the current $20 departure fee and takes effect October 1, 2008. Established in 2005 by President Remengesau, the Micronesian Challenge is a call for Pacific island nations to conserve at least 30% of near-shore marine and 20% of forest resources across Micronesia by 2020.
The PAN (Protected Area Network) of marine parks offers a concrete tool to improve nature protection by sustainable tourism development, and offering economic opportunity for marine parks and their surrounding areas. The network unites marine protected area managers, local authorities, and local and international tourism businesses on both a local and international level.
Through President Remengesau's actions, Palau also satisfies the conditions of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for financial assistance and may now have access to the new funding for coral reef conservation that I reported on last week.
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