The Pacific nation of Palau is on the verge of drastically reducing the size of its world-renowned national marine sanctuary – due to what it says is a lack of international support.
Six years ago, the country took the bold step of protecting 80 per cent of its ocean from any form of fishing.
The Palau National Marine Sanctuary spans about 500,000km², an area more than twice the size of Victoria.
While it’s helped deliver a surge in tourism, local fishermen say they’re being run out of business.
Now, Palau’s government says the sanctuary needs to be redesigned to ensure a better balance between conservation and economic security.
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