Palau leader says expansion of its fishing grounds to benefit

Japan Palau President Surangel Whipps

The leader of Palau has said a planned expansion of fishing grounds within the Pacific island country’s exclusive economic zone will benefit Japan as he sought Tokyo’s help to build a new fishing port.

“Currently, Japanese fish in Palau waters but the area that they fish in is only 20 percent (of Palau’s EEZ),” Palau President Surangel Whipps said in an interview with Kyodo News during a recent state visit to Manila.

Fishing has been restricted in the remaining 80 percent of the waters to protect biodiversity.

Whipps met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo earlier this month, when the Japanese leader requested an expansion of Palau’s fishing grounds.

Whipps said he has proposed to the island’s Congress to increase the permissible fishing area from 20 to 50 percent.

He has also requested funding through the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the construction of a new port, which may start in 2026 in the western Ngatpang state.

Whipps expressed hope that the port will benefit all parties, saying, “If they (the Japanese) have a port where they can come and offload and we can process and ship out, it’s a win-win for everybody.

“Palau’s main industry is tourism and protection of the coral reef system is seen as vital.

Whipps also said that new planned direct flight routes between Japan and Palau would make it easier to transport fish catches.