For centuries, this vast expanse of water has been occasionally blustery, usually blue, always bountiful.But the days of its benevolence have slowly slipped away. And so too has some of its marine life.
“It's a phenomenon that is real, unfortunately it is affecting the source of food, which is our ocean."According to 2019 data from the International Monetary Fund , Palau’s nominal GDP for the 2016 - 2017 financial year was approximately US$290 million . Within the same year, tourism receipts totalled US$115.8 million.
“We are near the tropics - right about the equator. We have a very narrow range of temperatures and so the corals are used to living in that temperature. So even if it is one or 1.5 degrees higher …. corals start to bleach,” explained chief executive officer of the Palau International Coral Reef Centre Dr Yimnang Golbuu."This increase in temperature is a big issue that we are facing and the models and the predictions are that the bleaching events will become more intense and more frequent .
Six years later, it designated 80 per cent of its maritime territory as a fully protected marine reserve where activities such as fishing are not allowed to take place. Local fishermen will be able to fish in the remaining area. “We have had studies that have showed that in areas that are protected, we are seeing five times more fish, so that's really helping to repopulate those areas that are open for fishermen to fish.”A soft breeze ripples through the trees, rustling the floral tablecloth anchored by woven baskets bearing a traditional Palauan spread.
Said Mr Tmetuchl: “That concept of not putting all your eggs in one basket came into play. So, what we’re doing now is that we’re moving inland and into the villages. We’re creating lunches like this one and we’re rotating it around so everybody gets a chance to get an overspill of tourism benefits. He explained: “For our tourism industry, people come to Palau because of the serenity of the water, the tremendous biodiversity we have. So anytime you see coral bleaching, anytime you see the fish population declining because the habitat is being destroyed - it concerns you, because that’s the industry that you want to protect and promote.
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