You’re reading The Husk's Friday edition, our Weekender, a countdown/roundup of miscellanea from Micronesia, Guam, and Earth.
…quotes from Our Ocean Palau
“Our connection to the ocean is very personal. Our lives, cultures and economies are inherently shaped by the ocean as a provider and a protector. It’s our home. It’s our lifeline. It’s what makes us who we are.”
-Surangel Whipps Jr., President of Republic of Palau.
“Today is a genuinely historic event – an Our Ocean Conference held in a Small Island developing nation, where citizens live every day on the front lines of the climate crisis.”
-Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry
“From this end of the community, the struggle has never been about money. But it’s about ancient traditions. Knowledge. Passing it on to the next generation. Making sure we have fish on the table for our families. It is about the sacredness of the ocean. It’s about balance.”
-Ann Singeo, Executive Director, Ebiil Society
Watch Ann’s speech at the video below, about 8 minutes in.
… #SaveMySanctuary updates
Palauans against the proposed legislation to change the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) no-take-zone from 80% to 30% protested in Palau during the Our Ocean conference, the Island Times writes.
A petition circulating online to #SaveMySanctuary states a bill has been introduced to reopen an additional 50% of Palau’s EEZ to foreign fishing. This would allow for 70% total of the country’s EEZ.
Those who are on the side of #SaveMySanctuary want to stop the bill before it becomes law. Ann Singeo, director of Ebiil Society which is one of the organizations leading the protests, has said that there are ways to bolster the economy under the current law, according to the Island Times.
The Rebukel Belau, or Palau Council of Chiefs, issued a statement that said the bill was a threat, per Tia Belau. Tia Belau printed the Council of Chiefs’ full statement on Page 3 of its April 14, 2022 issue. It states, in part:
Today, the PNMS is under threat. In an effort to temporarily bolster Palau’s economy post pandemic, the House of Delegates of the 11th Olbil Era Kelulau (OEK) introduced House Bill NO. 11-30-2S, to reopen an additional 50% of Palau’s EEZ to commercial foreign fishing interests. At best, this proposal would only realize short term and marginal profits and has not positively identified any dollar amount in potential revenues.
While it is understood that there is a need to seek ways to bolster our revenue earning capacity post pandemic, short term solutions should not jeopardize long term policy objectives of the Republic and wishes of the Palauan people.
The Sanctuary expresses a monumental environmental policy choice and commitment by the government and people of Palau that cannot, and should not, be easily trifled with.
The Rebukel Belau (Palau Council of Chiefs) outrightly asked the government to stop any legislation that “would jeopardize the size and integrity of the PNMS.”1
About bul
Former President Tommy Remengesau Jr. wrote about bul and the PNMS and submitted it to the Huffington Post back in 2015. In it he wrote:
Palau has a proud tradition of protecting the ocean. Throughout our history, local chiefs have monitored the health of fish populations, and at the first sign of resource scarcity, leaders exercised their authority to declare a "bul," or fishing ban. What our elders recognized in the establishment of the bul -- that sacrifices made today stave off long-term resource droughts -- provides the foundation for our sanctuary work today.
…sad(ish) story about Kmart.
Guam, famously, is home to a massive, mostly thriving Kmart. Whenever family members from off-island visit, Kmart is usually on the Guam itinerary. Despite the supply chain issues, Kmart here on the island is still holding strong. But that’s not the case for stateside stores, where there will soon only be three storefronts.
SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. Essentially, the chiefs were like People over Profits boi. To fight for the land and the ocean is to fight for a future. Consider how consumerism has abused the earth, leaving it battered and bruised and gasping for air. More nations should live by the Palauan bul tradition. Someone set up a Masterclass.