The event and days leading up to it were filmed for a television show named “Sand Masters”, which will air across the globe on The Travel Channel.  This episode, which focuses entirely on Palau, will be shown in over 100 countries with multiple replays for 3 to 5 years for hundreds of millions of viewers to enjoy.  

Be sure to stop by PPR to see the sculpture while it lasts, depending on weather it could survive from a few weeks to a few months.  And for those of you who are wondering, yes, it is only made of sand and water.

“Sand Masters”, creation of reef and sharks
including a complete Bar made all out of sand.

Dermot Keane and the President of Palau 
H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President,

Dermot Keane from Sam's Tour and
Founder of the Palau Shark Sanctuary



Dermot Keane Founder of the Palau Shark Sanctuary
with the President of Palau H.E. Johnson Toribiong and other guests.


"Sanctuary Sling" ready to be filled…

For more on Palau and an amazing Photo Gallery please go to: http://www.palautours.com/

A huge thanks to all who assisted Roll’em Productions/OTV in making helping to showcase Palau to the world:
Palau Pacific Resort     Yumi Morishita     Naoyuki Maedani     Ashok Tanna Palau Visitors Authority     Darin DeLeon President Johnson Toribiong Palau Shark Sanctuary     Dermot Keane Sam’s Tours     Sam Scott Kramers Café IMPAC Tours Koror State The Ngermid Male and Female Dancers Jimmy Blelai (Chanter) Melson Miko Conch Shell Blower Music by Malo Paulis, Olkeriil Kazuo, and Mike Fox Edwin Mario, Jeff Barabe, President Roll’em Productions/OTV

For more on Palau and Photo Gallery please go to:
http://www.palautours.com/

Travel Photography: Destination tips, Island Portraits from Chuuk - Pohnpei - Yap & Palau, Micronesia. READ MORE HERE

left to right: Dermot Keane,
Palau President Mr. President Johnson Toribiong from Palau,Todd Essick

The airport display was produced in cooperation with PEW, Palau Visitors Authority,Dermot Keane from the Palau Shark Sanctuary, Websync International Manila and photos by Todd Essick, Mandy Etpison
and Gunther Deichmann.
President Mr. President Johnson Toribiong from Palau, showing again his full support for the Shark Sanctuary and in the conservation of Palau's fragile Environment.

Dermot Keane,
Palau President Johnson Toribiong from Palau

The Palau International Airport is getting a nice facelift, thanks to the "Worlds 1st Shark Sanctuary" in cooperation with the airport authorities in Palau: PEW, Palau Shark Sanctuary, the Palau Visitors Authorities (PVA) and many other individuals, like Dermot Keane the Founder of the Palau Shark sanctuary who made this possible.

Websync International; Arnold Munz, Hermes Singson and myself (responsible for the production) are proud to be associated with this project, and of course the generosity from the contributing Photographers: Todd Essick, Mandy Etpison & Gunther Deichmann without their help and photos this could not have been achieved, besides keeping an almost impossible deadline.

These very large display panels will grace now the interior of the Palau international Airport shortly. Showcasing an Environmental statement, a Government committed to the conservation of our natural resources and our precious marine life, and at the same time educating international Visitors up on arrival and departure...another first for Palau.

Editor PalauTours

Now enjoy Palau the way Nature intended it!

Palau Shark Sanctuary Dermot Keane Founder Box 7076 Koror, PW 96940, Palau phone: +680-488-7267 e-mail sharksanctuary@gmail.com www.sharksanctuary.com About Palau Shark Sanctuary Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters.

In May 2003, former Palau President Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.
Palau Shark Sanctuary remains committed to the full implementation, enforcement and success of Palau’s marine sanctuary.

Koror/Palau, March 31, 2011 – The support of a high-tech vessel will have a significant impact on the marine law enforcement against illegal fishing practices after Palau declared its waters a marine sanctuary. On March 11, 2011, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, Paul Watson, President and Founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Steve Roest, Chief Executive Officer of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society signed a Memorandum of Agreement through which Sea Shepherd, a global marine conservation organization, will undertake an initial patrol campaign in the territorial waters of Palau and will provide advice in assessing options and best procedures for ongoing marine conservations operations. In addition, Sea Shepherd will fully fund the operations of its vessel M/Y Bob Barker, a former Norwegian whaler, and assets and will provide support and training to local authorities where needed or appropriate. The well equipped conservation society taps into high-tech resources such as helicopter surveillance, drone (UAV) technology, fast interceptor boats, and radar tracking systems, putting the marine enforcement entity of Palau at par with the illegal fishing operations it is trying to fight since the implementation of the world’s first shark sanctuary in September 2009, followed by the extension to a complete marine sanctuary in November 2010. Dermot Keane, Founder of non-profit organization Palau Shark Sanctuary, who established the contact between Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Presidential Office of Palau, and signed the Memorandum of Agreement as a witness, comments: “This is a major milestone for Palau’s conservation efforts and clearly sends the right message to the world: our nation is serious about the enforcement of our marine protection laws, and with the help of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, even small nations can make a big difference.”

# # #

To interview Captain Watson or for general media requests, please contact the U.S. IHQ Media Department of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Traci Walter or Katia Carter, phone +1-360-370-5650, media@seashepherd.org Australia: Jeff Hansen, phone +61-409-472-922, jeff@seashepherd.org Europe: Brigitte Scheffer, phone +44-7969-297726, brigitte@seashepherd.org or Laurens de Groot, phone +31-64-22-99-727, laurens@seashepherd.org For image material, please visit: http://media.seashepherd.org  

# # #

Palau Shark Sanctuary Dermot Keane Founder Box 7076 Koror, PW 96940, Palau phone: +680-488-7267 e-mail sharksanctuary@gmail.com www.sharksanctuary.com   About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization. The Society’s mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of the planet’s delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. About Palau Shark Sanctuary Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters. In May 2003, former Palau President Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. Palau Shark Sanctuary remains committed to the full implementation, enforcement and success of Palau’s marine sanctuary.  

10 trips for every type of traveler...
Palau on CNN

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial of Palau Rock Islands

Excerpts from the article:
Best tropical island trip: Palau Highly regarded Sam's Tours offers a full day of diving and snorkeling for $139. (Sam's Tours, P.O. Box 7076, Koror and the only hotel with its own beach is the Palau Pacific Resort
Read the complete article @ http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/01/10/trips.
for.every.traveler/index.html

This info was just received by Mr. Dermot Keane from the Shark Sanctuary in Palau, Micronesia and another mile stone in the conservation and preservation of our precious mariner life.

Dear Friends,
 
I am pleased to report that President Toribiong this morning vetoed SB 8-56 that would have permitted the taking of Humphead Wrasse (Napolean Wrasse; Maori Wrasse), a protected species in Palau.
 
The President deserves our thanks for continuing to steadfastly stay the course in protecting Palau’s marine environment.
 
Thank you all.

The official Veto letter from the office of the President below & You may send “Thank You” Messages to:                      
 
Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau: rop.president@palaunet.com     
 
with cc:   to the following: 
PALAU VISITORS AUTHORITY: pva@visit-palau.com
PALAU CHAMBER of COMMERCE: pcoc@palaunet.com
BELAU TOURISM ASSOCIATION: bta@palaunet.com
PALAU SHARK SANCTUARY: sharksanctuary@gmail.com

 Dear President Toribiong, I'm Edward Dorson, a marine conservationist and an underwater photographer. I've been engaged in Palau's marine environment both as a diver/photographer in your waters and as an activist for the ocean. I urge you to veto Senate Bill No. 8-56, the bill now on your desk to allow open seasons for the taking and selling of Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse, Bumphead parrotfish, and grouper.

© Gunther Deichmann - Blue Corner Palau

If you care to respond, please do so right now as this Bill has been passed by both HOUSE and SENATE and will become law in 4 MORE DAYS (NOV 26), unless the President vetoes it right now!

Please send an e-mail to urging VETO of SB 8-56 to:                      
 Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau: rop.president@palaunet.com     

With cc: to the following: 
PALAU VISITORS AUTHORITY: pva@visit-palau.com
PALAU CHAMBER of COMMERCE: pcoc@palaunet.com
BELAU TOURISM ASSOCIATION: bta@palaunet.com
PALAU SHARK SANCTUARY: sharksanctuary@gmail.com


SB No. 8-56 was fully passed by the Olbiil Era Kelulau and was sent to your Office on November 12th. If not vetoed within 15 days from that date (by November 26th), SB No. 8-56 will emerge as law.
This bill as law will have a devastating impact on these fish and reefs, on Palau's economy, and upon Palau's standing as a leader in ocean conservancy. I offer you these substantial negative consequences to consider:


• Unrestrained decimation during spawning aggregations: While SB No. 8-56 makes the point that these aggregating species are traditionally valued for consumption, any tradition that now enables substantial harm to threatened species must be seen as unacceptable.

It is also within the scope of Palauan tradition to be observant of the natural environment's condition and of the long-term consequences of harmful practices. Aggregating fish that form large groups to spawn at predictable times and locations are especially vulnerable to over exploitation.

The usually solitary Humphead wrasse is particularly fragile, where groups of up to 150 can gather to spawn in Palau's waters. Contrary to SB No. 8-56's unsubstantiated claim that Palau's groupers are rebounding and can withstand 3 months of fishing pressure; groupers have been documented as virtually eliminated in at least 5 sites in Palau due to over-fishing of spawning aggregations (listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red list). While all studies show these aggregating species have drastically declined worldwide, no management interventions of any kind are offered in SB No. 8-56 for the protection of spawning aggregations.

• Detailed locations of aggregation sites have been recently released: Until very recently, assessments on spawning aggregations in Palau have been mostly anecdotal. Shortly before SB No. 8-56 was introduced, a new scientific study on Palau's Humphead wrasse was released, titled "Aggregation and Spawning of the Humphead wrasse: General Aspects of Spawning Behaviour " by P. L. Colin.
[http://www.scrfa.org/images/stories/pdf/scrfa/colin.2010.
aggregationandspawningofthehumpheadwrasse.pdf

This was the result of 6 years of direct observation where aggregation sites were described in great detail and were mapped using GPS receivers. Marked aerial photographs also reveal precise aggregation locations. The author was aware that his research was a map for those willing to destroy Palau's remaining Humphead wrasse, but he reasoned that such disclosure concerning the fate of Palau's most iconic fish was safe:

"Despite sensitivities about revealing the positions of newly located spawning aggregation sites, detailed information was provided to describe the relationship of the physical aspects of the site to the biology of aggregation and spawning...Cheilinus undulatus (Napoleon wrasse) is now fully protected in Palauan waters reducing potential effects of fishers on populations from such detailed information; no capture is allowed and there is thought to be only minor poaching."


• No environmental assessment performed: There are standing laws and requirements that are being flagrantly ignored with Senate Bill No. 8-56. Removing Palau's total ban in taking and selling adult Bumphead parrotfish (kemedukl) and Humphead wrasse (maml) with a 2 month open fishing season is in direct opposition to the no-sale provision of Senate Bill No. 7-64. In 2006. Palau stipulated a total ban on the taking of these fish unless a thorough non-detrimental finding could recommend altering their protected status, yet there's been no environmental assessment to justify such an open season. Capture/killing methods aren't addressed either -- there's no limitation to size or number. Also missing: a ban on scuba spearfishing is well known to be the single most important measure to protect these species from over-exploitation.


• Coincides with unsustainable demand with the Chinese New Year: The period chosen to lift the ban on wrasse and parrotfish allow capture from November 1st to December 31st with legal sale from January 1st to February 29th. While SB No. 8-56 specifies that it for the holiday season of Palauans (Christmas), a pushed-back sales allowance is also granted to coincide with the Chinese New Year (February 3rd) holiday season. 


• Incentive for illegal export, particularly with Humphead wrasse: Live Humphead wrasse can fetch up to US $100 per kilogram at retail. The Live Reef Food Fish Trade (LRFFT) has been banned in Palau for many years, and advocating a season for Humphead wrasse is a strategy for circumventing that. Hong Kong takes in 75% of the live reef fish food trade. It bears mentioning that Palau now has a new route of direct flights to and from Hong Kong. However, the more apparent threat with quicker access to Hong Kong is that more appetites eager to consume the vanishing Humpheads will be coming to Palau.


• The taking of these species presents secondary destructive impacts to Palau's reefs: The typical method of easy capture using cyanide kills all the surrounding reef and other aquatic life where it is used. Even where cyanide isn't used, without these grazing fish the reef is much more likely to being smothered by algae; particularly while stressed by a warming event like the El Nino in 1998. One third of your reefs were severely damaged, yet these "grazers" were able to help restore the corals before they were lost. Humphead wrasse are also of great benefit as one of only a few animals that prey upon the reef-destroying Crown of Thorns seastar, now present in 5 areas of Palau.


• Contradicts Palau's Sanctuary ethos and the Presidential call for a "Bul": Palau has received world attention as the "World's First National Shark Sanctuary." Overlay that promise of stewardship with the  exploitation of SB 8-56 -- it's totally inconsistent with Palau as a beacon for marine conservation. While the UN sanctuary designation set a new benchmark as a manifesto, your aspirations will rapidly unravel if this bill becomes law. Legalizing needless plunder and disrupting species' interdependence would certainly rescind the visionary promise of your UN pronouncement.

"Palauans have a long history of living in harmony with nature. In days gone by, the traditional chiefs of Palau would declare a "bul" – a moratorium to protect a resource which had become scarce....All governments need to act now, to conserve the vast biodiversity of our oceans. I call upon the world to join me in taking action to protect the best and conserve the rest, so our children will someday thank us"  - from the speech on behalf of President Toribiong by Minister Harry Fritz, during the award ceremony honoring Palau at the Convention in Trade on Endangered Species.

• Divers see the Humphead wrasse and Bumphead parrotfish as living treasures that are just as compelling as Palau's sharks: The repeated experience of viewing them alive is a thousand-fold more profitable to Palau than their destruction as some product for consumption.


It is unthinkable to ignore standing conservation law, economics, and ecological reality and instead facilitate the irreparable demise of Palau's rare Humphead wrasse and Bumphead parrotfish populations. Great promise was instilled with Palau's UN declaration as the world's first national Shark Sanctuary. The 75% of Palau's visitors that come to dive and snorkel now see Palau as a dive oasis. They will feel betrayed with the passage of SB No. 8-56.

Short-sighted, greed-driven interests are vitally dependent on you allowing SB No. 8-56 to become law at the expense of destroying your living treasures and, with them, Palau's lasting well-being. This path will only lead to the collapse of both aquatic species and tourism with the inevitable loss of nourishment and livelihoods. Palau's environmental, political, and economic realm must ultimately be shaped by the will of it's President. I urge you to be Palau's voice for reason on this issue and veto Senate Bill No. 8-56.
Sincerely, Edward Dorson

Excepts from the Press Release below - complete Press report
Written by Shark Savers   
Monday, 15 November 2010 19:31

Sharks, Mantas, and Turtles to be protected in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Misool Eco Resort and Shark Savers announced today that a Shark Sanctuary has been declared for the entire 17,760 square miles of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Bupati Drs Marcus Wanma, the Regent of Raja Ampat, made this historic declaration, demonstrating leadership in marine conservation.

The Raja Ampat Shark Sanctuary provides full protection for sharks, manta rays, mobulas, dugongs, and turtles. Also prohibited are highly destructive practices including reef bombing and the aquarium fish trade. The Shark Sanctuary is the first of its kind in Indonesia, the largest island archipelago in the world.

We are excited to announce that the Regent of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Bupati Drs Marcus Wanma, has declared a Shark Sanctuary for the entire 17,760 square mile area of Raja Ampat. This declaration is a direct response to the proposal presented by Shark Savers and our partner, Misool Eco Resort.

The Bupati has declared that, in Raja Ampat, it is now:
• Forbidden to catch fish with poison, bombs etc;
• Forbidden to catch fish using a compressor, purse seine,“Muroami” and “bubu”
• Forbidden to catch sharks, manta rays, mobulas, live reef fish for the aquarium trade, dugongs and turtles.
• Forbidden to catch any fish at all in designated tourism and conservation areas.

This is an important milestone, as Raja Ampat enjoys the highest marine biodiversity level on the planet with 1397 species of fish and over 600 species of coral recorded. It has also been the scene of destructive overfishing that has severely threatened sharks, mantas, and other vulnerable species.
Read more...

Shark Sanctuary - Palau Micronesia & Palausharksanctuary.net
Shark Savers

Keesha, daughter of Dermot Keane and the General Manager of Sam's Tours in Palau, Swimming for TEAM PALAU – Swim Team.
Keesha received already 2 Golds for 200M Relay Medley and 800M Relay Freestyle.

Keesha's brother Noel Keane is also competing and is the youngest competitor in the games at 7 years old.
Noel swam 200M of a 800M relay on the first day.

KEESHA ON THE PODIUM –
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS 800M RELAY

Photos by Jim Cossey from Marshall Islands whose daughter swims for Marshall's and got a silver medal.

Photo: © Gunther Deichmann

Alii (Hello) Everyone!

The PADI Diving Society and TY Sawyer are headed for Palau in September 2010. Yes, PALAU!
 
PADI Travel Network along with hosts Sam's Tours
and Palau Royal Resort are set for this awesome event
September 15-24, 2010. Sam's and Palau Royal are known for their Five Star service and attention to
detail

, you will not be disappointed. 
 
Palau, the eighth marine wonder of the world is known for its world-class diving, including famous sites like Blue Corner, German Channel and Ulong Channel.  Experience drift diving over spectacular walls, explore WWII wrecks and amazing close encounters with exotic marine life. In September 2009 Palau was named the world's first Shark Sanctuary so you'll see plenty of 
these magnificent creatures first-hand. Palau's wonders

are not just limited to the sea - the breathtaking Rock 
Islands are a sight worth traveling for and a snorkeling
trip to famous Jellyfish Lake will show you that not all jellyfish are created equal. 
 
Pricing starts at $2250 US per person for eight nights accommodations, five days of three tank boat dives, three meals daily, free enriched air, and much more.
And with all the Society shenanigans you can handle

(aka, parties, contests, prizes and your loyal staff!)
you wont want to miss this week. I hope you'll
consider joining us in Palau and discover where the rainbow truly ends.
 
If you want more information, Karin Sahm is standing-by to answer all of your travel questions. Email Karin or give her a call at 800 736-7021, ext. 165.
Of course, you can email me or call 800 729 7234 or
+1 949 858 7234, ext. 2322, as well. 
 
Hope to see you all in Palau!
 
 Kind regards,
 
Theresa Kaplan (formerly Gulledge)
Manager, PADI Diving Society 

A PADI Diving Society Event; 15 - 24 September 2010

Photo Courtesy © Gunther Deichmann

Join PADI Diving Society for nine adventurous days and eight magical nights in Palau at the Palau Royal Resort. You'll enjoy five days of three-tank boat diving with PADI Five Star Dive Center Sam's Tours. with special guests, including Sport Diver's Ty Sawyer. Read more @ Join Us. See Life. In Palau.

Shark Savers' "Thank you to Palau"
book presented to Palauan President Toribiong

Photo: Copyright PALAU HORIZON;
Courtesy www.sharksanctuary.com

You may recall that Shark Savers fielded two petitions regarding Palau. The first one opposed a bad shark fishing law and the second one thanked Palau for subsequently protecting sharks by creating the National Shark Sanctuary. We created a book consisting of your signatures and comments for presentation to President Toribiong. Today, our book was presented to the President on our behalf by our friend, Dermot Keane of the Palau Shark Sanctuary. Here is Dermot's report: Read the complete article @ Shark Savers' "Thank you to Palau" book presented to Palauan President Toribiong

Dateline video journalist David O’Shea takes his first ever scuba dive and plunges into the controversy over saving the ocean’s top predator. read more Click this LINK or the Image above.


In support of the Palau Shark Sanctuary & Sam's Tours

We have just received these Photos and article from Dermot Keane who is attending the Boat Show in Germany with other Dive and Resort Operators from Palau Micronesia. At the Palau Booth you find: Operators from Yap with other Palau operators including NECO MARINE, Fish’nFins & Palau Pacific Resort. China Airlines is also offering flights with direct service from Frankfurt to Taipei, with connecting service to Koror, Palau 4 times per week. Starting at 990 EU in economy class.

Sam's Tours participates in the Q Divers stand for the first time. We joined the Quality Divers network at the last BOOT Show and attended the Birmingham Dive Show in late Oct 2009 as our first show with QD. This is our first BOOT.  Traffic at the show was quite good with lots of interested shoppers who seemed serious about traveling and ready to buy.
Sam's Tours is also participating at the Palau - Yap Booth with other Palau operators including NECO MARINE and Palau Pacific Resort.

As always, the Stemmer Family is there in full force to support Sam's Tours with Kristina staffing the Palau Booth for Sam's Tours and mom Gisela covering the Quality Divers stand, while dad Bernd attends the BOOT representing China Airlines who offers direct service from Frankfurt to Taipei, with connecting service to Koror, Palau 4 times per week.starting at 990 EU in economy class.
 

 
Dermot Keane GM from Sam’s Tours and Vicktor at the
Sam’s Tours Booth in Germany

Sam's Tours good friend, sculptor Vicktor stopped by the booth. Vicktors granite sculpture of Hans and Lotti Haas will be unveiled at the show this week and then go to Vienna for display. http://www.vuam.net/
Presently Vicktors "Legends of the Sea" collection is on display at GOOGLE'S HQ in Cupertino, CA.
 
Vicktor has dived in Palau with Sam's Tours
His Pioneers and Heroes collection includes Valerie Taylor, Jacques Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Stan Waterman
 
http://www.vuam.net/pioners_and_heroes.html
 
http://www.vuam.net/education.html

Vicktor the sculptor  www.VUAM.net  

From the Editor: PalauTours.com

© Gunther Deichmann - Courtesy palautours.com
Reef and Islands

Alii from snowy Hamburg,

As some of you already know Mr. Junker from MDR is currently filming in Palau for his broadcast "Forgotten Islands".
During the days of his filming he is blogging and MDR is showing his video diary (at least for the days where he is able to upload the film :-) )
http://www.mdr.de/junkers-tagebuch  (video diary)
www.mdr-junkers-tagebuch.de/

© Gunther Deichmann - Courtesy palautours.com
ancient stone path


© Gunther Deichmann - Courtesy palautours.com
Palau saltwater Crocodile

No Photoshop! Natural reflection in the amazing Rock Islands
Palau Micronesia. Original Image is in color, converted into
Black & White using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2.

For detailed information please go to GD Photo Workshops

June 18 - 25, 2010
Palau Micronesia
GD Photo Workshop in Palau...Natures best kept secret, final details to be announced shortly, "ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS" Only 7 spaces remaining! 
10 participant limit! This Workshop is filling fast! If you want to see "inside" Palau better book your space now! More info @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/index.html or contact Sam’s Tours @ http://www.samstours.com/

THE PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP has started... just in from Palau; fun and education for Children another first for Palau and Sam’s Tours, locally sponsored by Continental Airlines, Palau Royal Resort and Sea Passion Hotel & of course Sam’s Tours our Partner in the Philippine Micronesia Alliance.

This is another first for Palau the first one being the Shark Sanctuary...not only is Palau a Shark Sanctuary but now contributing to Childrens education... learning about our environment while having real fun.

Special thanks to all the International sponsors: Sport Diver Magazine - PADI Diving Society - PADI Project Aware - SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics - Sea Life Camera - DAN Divers Alert Network.

Good luck to all Kids and adults who
have joined this fun trip to Palau...
have lots of fun and be good.

We try to update you in the coming days on all of the activities from one of Natures best kept secrets...PALAU.

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING - FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – Palau:
November 22 – 28, 2009, Koror, Palau

Local Sponsors:
Sam’s Tours
Palau Royal Resort
Sea Passion Hotel
Continental Airlines

International Sponsors:

Sport Diver Magazine
PADI Diving Society
PADI Project Aware
SCUBAPRO - Uwatec
UK Underwater Kinetics
Sea Life Camera
DAN Divers Alert Network

About Kids Sea Camp: www.kidsseacamp.com

Kids Sea Camp was founded in 2001 by Ms. Margo Peyton, a scuba diver and mother of two children. Kids Sea Camp now visits over 8 countries around the world and is a two time Emmy Award winning prestigious program coveted by top diving destinations. Kids Sea Camps are hosted by PADI 5-Star Dive Centers in exotic destinations that include Bahamas, Bonaire, Belize, Costa Rica, Fiji, Grand Cayman, Galapagos, and now Palau!

Kids Sea Camp is a fun-filled vacation for families who love the ocean and promotes greater awareness of the marine environment with a strong focus on conservation. During Kids Sea Camp, students enjoy multiple educational activities teaching them new and fun things about the oceans in both classroom environment and hands-on programs.

There are approximately twenty families attending Kids Sea Camp Palau, mostly from the United States. All participants will stay at the Palau Royal Resort hotel while educational activities and evening programs will take place at Sea Passion Hotel.

Dermot Keane GM from Sam’s Tours during the welcome Ceremony

Sam Scott and Son during the welcome ceremony

The Kids have arrived...

Children will attend daily marine educational programs, based on their age groups, which include learning to snorkel and scuba dive. Dive certified adults and teens will enjoy snorkeling and diving on Palau’s world renowned outer reefs. SEEDS OF PROMISE, a Palau non-profit group, will conduct the educational activities and programs for children. Evenings will be spent together as families with themed entertainment following dinner.

Sam’s Tours is very pleased to have secured this much sought-after event for Palau with over twenty families attending the very first Kids Sea Camp to be held this side of the globe. We are also happy to report that we have secured Kids Sea Camp for Palau again in 2010, and expect more than fifty families to participate in an expanded program.

Kids Sea Camp - Principals & VIPS

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING UPDATED EFFECTIVE 11/22/09 – FINAL

Kids Sea Camp – VIP Attendee List

Margo Peyton: Founder Kids Sea Camp

Margo, who began diving in 1989 and is a PADI Dive Master with thousands of logged dives, founded Kids Sea Camp in 2001. She is also a photographer and an artist who works with local schools providing marine oriented educational presentations. Margo contributes to Oceans for Youth, Ocean Pals, Sea of Tomorrow, Ocean Wishes and many other charities, donating, proceeds, trips and art work for silent Auctions where proceeds go to her favorite charities. She has won two Emmy Awards for her educational programming.

In 2009, Margo was inducted into the prestigious Women Divers Hall of Fame, an international not-for-profit organization established to recognize the elite and outstanding women divers whose achievements have enriched the worldwide scuba diving community. Margo resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after moving from the Cayman Islands.

First snorkel at the Jelly Fish lake

Ron G. Steven “Rogest”: Marine Artist

Ron Stevens is a renowned marine artist, dive instructor, and North American Group representative for Mike Ball Expeditions Australia. Ron has worked with Kids Sea Camp since 2003, sharing his interests in painting, poetry, song and dance with kids and adults alike. Ron’s work has been featured in many diving and marine environment magazines.
For more information visit: www.rogest.com

Ms. Carolyn Pascal: Publisher, Bonnier Corp www.sportdiver.com
Sport Diver Magazine
Scuba Diving Magazine

Mr. Jerry Beatty Associate Publisher
Dive Training Magazine

Palau Pacific Resort is surrounded by the pristine, crystal blue waters of the western Pacific Ocean, combining the true spirit and culture of the islands with a tranquil ambience and beauty, in a world-famous resort destination for both scuba-divers and non-divers alike.

Palau Pacific Resort is the only luxury international resort in Palau featuring a private 1000-feet blanket of white sand beach with excellent snorkeling right off the hotel's beach front, a freshwater outdoor beachside swimming pool and Jacuzzi overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This superb hotel has two outdoor tennis courts, a saltwater fish pond with over 200 fish, clams and stingrays, the hotel's all-day alfresco restaurant and a fine dining restaurant offer the finest seafood and international cuisine.

Coconut Terrace Enjoy casual alfresco dining facing the sea! Coconut Terrace offers a delicious buffet breakfast, a la carte lunch, and a la carte or theme night buffet dinner with live music and local dance entertainment featured most every night. 150 seats
Cuisine Type: International Operating Hours: Daily - 6:30 am to 11:00 pm
Meduu Ribtal Restaurant Meduu Ribtal offers a unique dining experience in air-conditioned comfort in an island motif setting, featuring Pacific Rim cuisine including fresh local seafood, U.S. prime beef and island specialties with live music featured most every night. 40 seats
Cuisine Type: International Operating Hours: Daily - 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Akoi Koi Bar A cozy gathering place off the hotel lobby. A popular place to get together with friends.
Cuisine Type: Drinks and snacks Operating Hours: Daily - 11:00am to 11:00 pm
Mesekiu Waterhole An oasis under the palm trees by the beach, serving refreshing tropical drinks and offering an all-day snack menu.

http://www.palauppr.com/



For more info on Palau and the Palau Pacific Resort
please go to:
http://www.palautours.com/ppr-hotel.html

© Gunther Deichmann - Palau has made the decision
for a "greener and better" Planet!

The Palau Conservation Society (PCS) was incorporated on June 16, 1994 for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating community participation in decisions that affect Palau 's environment.
PCS is the only local non-government organization working exclusively on environmental protection. Its work includes public awareness programs, scientific research and the promotion of sustainable development.
The success of PCS can be traced to its non-confrontational approach to environmental issues and to its strong partnerships with local communities, government agencies and the international scientific community.

THANK YOU from around the World!

Go raibh maith agat - Gracias - 谢谢您 - Bedankt - Salamat - merci - Σε ευχαριστώ - terima kasih - Danke -Cảm ơn bạn - ขอบคุณ - ありがとうございました - 謝謝您 - Dankie - شكرا لك - tänan teid - Благодаря - धन्यवाद - grazie - dziękuję - TACK SJÄLV - благодарю - tänan teid - 감사합니다 - obrigado - تشکر از شم - Teşekkürler - א דאנק - Дзякуй - Kiitos - תוֹדָה - köszönöm!

http://www.sharksavers.org/get-involved/sign-these-petitions/608-thank-you-palau.html

For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

 A Hero’s Welcome for Palau
President Johnson Toribiong.

A well deserved and warm welcome to
Palau President H.E. Johnson Toribiong

Palau President H.E. Johnson Toribiong arrived home moments ago to a hero’s welcome at Koror International Airport, Palau. The founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary, Dermot Keane, Managing Director of Palau dive shop Sam’s Tours, was on hand to greet the President and thanked him for declaring Palau a Shark Sanctuary.
 
The large welcome committee included grateful members of the Palauan community who greeted President Toribiong with flower leis and loud applause upon his arrival. Palauans are understandably proud of their President who declared Palau as a Shark Sanctuary during his recent address to the United Nations, General Assembly, on Friday, September 25, 2009.
 

A warm welcome...Dermot Keane from the Shark Sanctuary &
President Toribiong from Palau at the arrival only hours ago at the Palau airport

Despite his long journey from Washington D.C. to Palau, the President was clearly moved by the warm reception and graciously thanked everyone for showing up to welcome him. Palau Shark Sanctuary once again thanks and admires President Toribiong for his landmark declaration of Palau as a Shark Sanctuary.
 
Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 with a goal of securing a declaration by Palau that the waters of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are a Shark Sanctuary.
For more information visit: www.sharksanctuary.com   or  www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com

© Gunther Deichmann - Palau Airport from the air

50plus people to meet him at airport.....applause, flower leis, Shark Sanc T-shirts and Shark Sanc banner. More info and I hope images later direct from Palau...

http://www.sharksanctuary.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2009 
LATE BREAKING NEWS!

PALAU DECLARES EEZ A SHARK SANCTUARY! 

On Friday, September 25, 2009, H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, a tiny Pacific Island nation, declared the waters of Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone (230, 000 Sq. Miles / 620,000 Sq. Kms.), as the worlds first officially recognized SHARK SANCTUARY, during a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in New York.
President Toribiong also called for a global ban on shark-finning and for other nations to follow suit. Through his actions, President Toribiong has placed Palau at the very forefront of worldwide efforts to protect sharks.  
This is a tremendous day for Palau and for worldwide efforts to protect sharks from absolute and unsustainable destruction!
 
Palau Shark Sanctuary deeply commends President Toribiong for his international leadership in world efforts to protect sharks.
 
We are very proud of President Toribiong and of Palau on this momentous occasion.
 
Well done Mr. President!
 
Thank You!
 
Dermot Keane
Palau Shark Sanctuary

Breaking News & a breakthrough in Conservation from Palau Micronesia!
Palau Does Care!


© Gunther Deichmann - Shark and Underwater photographer
at the Blue Corner Palau, Micronesia;
for more images on Palau please visit the PhotoShelter Gallery at:
Marine Life and other Palau images

Palau President Toribiong has announced only a few hours ago at the UN in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY ! This is a milestone in the conservation and preservation of Sharks in Palau, setting an example for the rest of the World. More information and updates as they become available soon.

The original message:
Just been advised that Palau President Johnson Toribiong will announce in 30 minutes at the UN Conference in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY !!!!!!!!!!! 

Excerpts from the announcement by President Johnson Toribiong;
As many as 100 million sharks are killed each year around the world."These creatures are being slaughtered and are perhaps at the brink of extinction unless we take positive action to protect them," said President Toribiong.
Other related LINKS:

http://www.palautours.com/

http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

http://www.sharksanctuary.com/index.html

http://sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/

© Gunther Deichmann - unique marine bio diversity,
image above: Soft Coral Arch Palau

“We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.”
Dalai Lama

Excerpts below from Nature Conservancy website...

© Gunther Deichmann - Palau is home to many Bird
species, like this Rookery near Kayangal

...Legendary for its astonishing marine diversity and beauty, even named one of the “Seven Underwater Wonders of the World” by divers, Palau holds far more than seems possible in the 170 square miles it covers.
Underwater, Palau supports an amazing 373 coral species, and nearly 1,300 varieties of reef fish... read more:
Click this LINK to Natures Conservancy, with more environmental info on Palau.

Support The Nature Conservancy & Palau Conservation Society
Keeping Palau a “Wonder”


© Gunther Deichmann - Palau is an important nesting ground for Turtles


© Gunther Deichmann - dense unspoiled rainforest and unique vegetation


© Gunther Deichmann - flesh eating plant from Palau

For more images on Palau please visit my Photoshelter Gallery
Click the LINK and type your subject e.g. Palau, Jelly Fish lake,
Rock Islands, Aerials etc. or what ever you’re looking for in the Search Box.

Palau the hidden Crown Jewel in the Pacific…never heard about it? About time we introduce you to one of the most charming places on Earth… some call it… the forgotten Paradise or the Pearls of the Pacific.
No words can describe Palau... even before you land the view from the arriving aircraft will take your Breath away.

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial View of the Rock Islands

© Gunther Deichmann - The mysterious Milky Way

I have been traveling to Palau the past 15 years and I still cant get enough of its beauty above and below the waves. Quoted as one, if not the Best Dive destination in the world.
Like a child in a candy shop, I am like that every time I travel to Palau, discovering new things all the time…it is just awesome. It is one of those places one should visit at least once in their lifetime.

© Gunther Deichmann - Soft coral Arch Palau


© Gunther Deichmann - Eagle Ray at Blue Corner


© Gunther Deichmann - meet the BIG ones at
Blue Corner & Dive with Sam’s Tours

The information below is courtesy of Palautours.com containing information how to get there and a very brief inside of this truly remarkable place. For all our Camera enthusiast we highly recommend Sam’s Tour’s Digital Photo Center which is fully equipped with iMac Computers and state of the art Software like Aperture.

© Gunther Deichmann - The Nautilus our “living fossil”

There are many ways to get to Palau and flying direct is not always the most economical or timely method. Many guests that fly in from the states catch a flight out of L.A. or San Francisco to Japan and then catch a flight from Japan to Guam (there are multiple flights a day from Japan flying into Guam) and then Guam to Palau. The use of frequent flyer miles is also available, remember to book early or have a great travel agent if you are trying to go that route.
Continental Micronesia is the major airline of Micronesia and flies into Palau 6 days a week: 2 times a day on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; and once a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. (Please note: these schedules are subject to change it is advisable to check with your airlines first)
They have service from Guam 6 days a week, with connections to and from Yap on Wednesdays and Sundays. There is service to and from Palau from Manila, Philippines (this seems to be the best way to travel to Palau from Asia or Europe); twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is service to and from Kaoshiung and Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesdays and Saturdays; and service to and from Taipei, Taiwan on Thursdays and Sundays on Far Eastern Air Transport (or FAT Airline). Japan Airlines (JAL) has flights to and from Palau twice a month.

Palau offers you the world's most beautiful tropical paradise. Famous for it’s diving, Palau is rated as one of the world's best diving destinations by scuba aficionados. And why not...Palau has unspoiled reefs, caves, and walls with the most amazing array of marine life you can ever imagine.

© Gunther Deichmann - Napoleon Wrasse, get close to Marine life.

Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most
awesome natural wonders.

Imagine the whitest beaches you will ever see, gardens of coral just beneath the clearest waters, lakes filled to the brim with "sting less" jellyfish. Forests, waterfalls and caves that have never been ravaged by man, and hundreds of islands of the purest beauty abound all along our pristine archipelago.

© Gunther Deichmann - swim with jelly fish and not getting stung.

Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most awesome natural wonders. Imagine the whitest beaches you will ever see, gardens of coral just beneath the clearest waters, lakes filled to the brim with "sting less" jellyfish.

© Gunther Deichmann - ... awesome Palau Waterfall

Palau. To many the name conjures up images of lush jungles atop mushroom-shaped limestone islands surrounded by turquoise waters so abundant with life that it is nearly impossible to ingest it all. With magnificent reefs that contain over 1300 species of fish and 400 species of coral, it is no surprise that it is recognized as one of the best and most consistent places to see a huge diversity and abundance of both small tropical fish and large pelagic predators.

© Gunther Deichmann - The Natural Arch, Palau


© Gunther Deichmann - Explore amazing Palau by Kayaks


© Gunther Deichmann - Kayaking through the Mangroves

There are several reasons for Palau's diversity of life, particularly the marine life, with some of the major factors being the variety of habitats and reef structures as well as its location. Between the coastal mangroves of Babeldaob and the outer reef walls of the Ngemelis and Pelelui, exists an extensive shallow and deep water lagoon containing limestone islands, sheltered marine lakes, and narrow passages that provide a mixture of different habitats that support a variety of fish and coral. Further, the ranges of reef structures, from sheer vertical walls to underwater caves provide numerous places for species to live. If the diversity of habitats in Palau is poised to accommodate a terrific amount of marine life, its location is the reason that much of the marine life made it here in the first place. Palau resides just outside of the ‘Coral Triangle' an area recognized as the center of marine biodiversity and has three major bodies of water converge on the island. To the East is the Pacific Ocean, to the West the Philippine Sea, and to the South, the Celebes Sea.

© Gunther Deichmann - paradise is waiting for YOU.

As the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine and Celebes Seas circulate, the potential to bring larva of coral, fish, and invertebrates to Palau from different parts of the Indo-Pacific region is very high.

© Gunther Deichmann- have your own Island

Terrestrially, Palau has one of the most diverse assemblages of flora and fauna in Micronesia The different geology, predominantly the limestone Rock Islands and the large volcanic main island of Babeldaob provide excellent substrate for a diverse number of trees, plants, birds, and reptiles. There are over 1250 species of plants, 140 species of birds (including 8 endemic species), and 50 species of amphibians and reptiles (including the largest reptile, the Saltwater Crocodile, (Crocodylus porosus ). With all of the diversity in Palau , both above and below the water, it will amaze even the most seasoned naturalist.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sunset in the Rock Islands


© Gunther Deichmann - enjoy the Spa at the Palau Pacific Resort.


© Gunther Deichmann - see You soon in Palau Micronesia.

See pages after pages with stunning images and information on Palau @ http://www.palautours.com/
You can Check also with the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) for more local information once you have arrived in Palau.
For a Birds-eye view of Palau check out Palau Helicopters @ http://www.palautours.com/palauheli-other.html

For more information please contact the Palau Visitors Authority & click this LINK for all Tour Operator Listing and other activities

Or check the Palau Blog spot

Above: The most comprehensive Pocket Guide Book on Palau and Environs, available at all leading Dive Centers, General Stores, Hotels and Resorts.

For more Photos on Palau please click this LINK there you find three seperate Galleries on Palau

Stark wie Wind und Gezeiten




© Gunther Deichmann - Jellyfish Lake Palau Micronesia
fuer mehr information ueber Palau, see also
“Palau the hidden Crown Jewel in the Pacific”

Quallen mischen Meere durch Quallen, Fische, Plankton und andere Meereslebewesen haben am Durchmischen der Ozeane einen ähnlich großen Anteil wie Wind oder Gezeiten. Durch ihre Bewegungen erzeugen die Tiere eine Art Unterdruck und ziehen Wasser hinter sich her.
Quallen bewegen sich mit pumpenden Bewegungen vorwärts oder lassen sich einfach von der Strömung tragen.
Dieser überraschende Befund stammt von einer Gruppe um Kakani Katija vom California Institute of Technology in Pasadena (USA). Die Wissenschaftler waren mit einer Spezialkamera im Gepäck in den Zwergstaat Palau im Pazifischen Ozean gereist. Dort beobachteten sie in einem Salzwasser-See, welche Strömungen entstehen, wenn sich Quallen durchs Wasser bewegen.
Bilder und der complete bericht @
http://www.n-tv.de/wissen/weltall/Quallen-mischen-Meere-durch-article449465.html

Our oceans are more than
fish and ships...

The oceans are suffering.
The main source of food for two billion people, a key element in climate control and a largely untapped reserve of vital resources, they deserve to be managed better.

This is why the United Nations this month celebrated the first ever World Ocean Day, read the complete article @

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion
%20&%20Analysis/-/539548/611562/-/u1r1yyz/-/

Associated Press
Palau cites human rights in resettling detainees
Associated Press, 06.11.09, 12:44 AM EDT
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's reaction - when it agreed to take in 17 Chinese Muslim separatists detained at Guantanamo Bay.

Palau President Johnson Toribiong says his country has agreed to a U.S. request to resettle the detainees out of humanitarian concerns and because their imprisonment is unlawful...more at;
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap

More links to this breaking story you find at the following links.
cites human rights in resettling detainees
Forbes - NY,USA
AP , 06.11.09, 12:44 AM EDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's ...
See all stories on this topic
agrees to take Uighurs held in Guantanamo
Ynetnews - Israel
The tropical Pacific island nation of Palau said on Wednesday that it had agreed to temporarily take in 17 Chinese Muslims held at the US detention center ...


United Press International - USA
WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- The Pacific island nation of Palau has agreed to take 17 Chinese Muslims detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, US officials said ...

Palau to Take Uighur Gitmo Detainees
FOXNews - USA
Two US officials reportedly said that the US was prepared to give Palau up to $200 million in development, budget support and other assistance in return for ...

Palau

Palau

UPI NewsTrack TopNews

US Money May Have Swayed

Please follow the links below for the latest updates on the very first Kids Sea Camp (KSC) to be held in Palau.
Sam's Tours is the host tour operator for Kids Sea Camp Palau with accommodations provided by Palau Royal Resort. The program is limited to 50 persons on this inaugural year.
Kids Sea Camp is an award winning educational program for children and is supported by major sponsors including PADI, SPORT DIVER MAGAZINE, SCUBAPRO and DAN.

KSC is a very important and prestigious event for Palau and one that Sam's Tours should be very proud to have been selected to host. Top dive destinations go to great lengths and compete heavily to be selected as KSC destinations and it is no small feat to have been chosen as a KSC destination. Other KSC host destinations include Grand Bahama, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Curacao, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Roatan, Fiji, and now finally PALAU!
More information is forthcoming and in the meantime, please visit the URL's below and familiarize yourself with Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009 and start speading the word!

http://www.kidsseacamp.com/
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palauhomepage.html
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palaudivesams.html
http://kidsseacamp.com/palau/palauresort.html

Dermot Keane,
GM Sam’s Tours Palau

© Gunther Deichmann - It is never to early...learn how to dive.

We have picked up this post from Sam’s Tours Palau, see below the details.

Monday, May 11, 2009
Late Breaking News! KIDS SEA CAMP coming to Palau!
We’re delighted to report that Sam’s Tours has been selected to host the very first KIDS SEA CAMP (KSC) in Palau slated for this November. Kids Sea Camp is an award-winning educational vacation program for families that love the ocean.
Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009: November 21 – 28, 2009.

Kids Sea Camp is the brain child of Margo Peyton, a scuba diver since 1989. This Scuba mom with husband Tom, two kids of her own, Jen and Robbie, decided it was important for her family to spend time together doing what she loved the most, scuba diving & travel.
Kids Sea Camp is a full week's schedule of events and educational programs that promises great times and learning experiences for families with kids age 4-15. Each week includes 7 nights accommodations, diving, meals, excursions, activities for both adults and kids including, diving, snorkeling and many PADI Specialty courses.
KSC is hosted at PADI 5 Star Dive Resorts around the world which include Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Roatan, Fiji, Curacao, Galapagos and now in PALAU! Sam’s Tours and Palau Royal Resort, a Nikko Hotels International partner http://www.palau-royal-resort.com/ are teamed up to host this exciting event. Space is limited so get in touch with Sam’s Tours right away if you’d like to participate.
Families can spend a week scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, discovering underwater photography, meeting other families and making friends from all around the world. Kids Sea Camp is the perfect family vacation for those that love to scuba!
Sam’s Tours PADI Five Star National Geographic Dive Center is proud to have been selected to host Palau’s very first Kids Sea Camp and we are already in full swing planning an exciting action-packed week of fun in the sun!
For more information on Kids Sea Camp please visit http://kidsseacamp.com/ although details of the Palau Kids Sea may not be posted yet.

For bookings please contact: kids@kidsseacamp.com or e-mail Sam’s Tours Reservations Desk at: reservations@samstours.com
Kids Sea Camp PALAU 2009: November 21 – 28, 2009.

Rare Megamouth Shark Caught In Philippines

Author: Jason Heller / April 07, 2009 12:00AM CDT Category: Marine Conservation
Megamouth, rare, Shark, Philippines, Donsol
So rare are these sharks that each of them is designated with a number.

Fishermen based in Donsol were trawling for mackerel along the eastern coast of Burias Isle on the morning of 30 March when they caught a strange-looking shark from a depth of approximately 200 meters. WWF’s satellite tagging initiatives have already shown that pelagic filter feeders such as whale sharks and manta rays regularly prowl through the region. It was only a matter of time before something else was discovered.

Megamouth SharkThe shark was brought to Barangay Dancalan in Donsol, Sorsogon for assessment. WWF Donsol Project Manager Elson Aca immediately arrived to assess the haul – and promptly identified it as a megamouth shark... MORE

© Gunther Deichmann - next time you come across an Octopus remember that they have been around for million of years.

Knowing and understanding Fossils this discovery really amazes me, very rare indeed since Octopuses don’t have any hard shell like Ammonites, Belemnites and other species in the this family group.
Read below excerpts from the science report, for the complete story and Photos go to the LINK below.


Rare Fossil Octopuses Found
By Live Science Staff
posted: 18 March 2009 10:32 am ET

It's hard enough to find fossils of hard things like dinosaur bones. Now scientists have found evidence of 95 million-year-old octopuses, among the rarest and unlikeliest of fossils, complete with ink and suckers.
The body of an octopus is composed almost entirely of muscle and skin. When an octopus dies, it quickly decays and liquefies into a slimy blob. After just a few days there will be nothing left at all. And that assumes that the fresh carcass is not consumed almost immediately by scavengers.
The result is that preservation of an octopus as a fossil is about as unlikely as finding a fossil sneeze, and none of the 200 to 300 species of octopus known today had ever been found in fossilized form, said Dirk Fuchs of the Freie University Berlin, lead author of the report.
Fuchs and his colleagues now have identified three new species of octopuses (Styletoctopus annae, Keuppia hyperbolaris and Keuppia levante) based on five specimens discovered in Cretaceous Period rocks in Lebanon. The specimens, described in the January 2009 issue of the journal Palaeontology, preserve the octopuses' eight arms with traces of muscles and rows of suckers. Even traces of the ink and internal gills are present in some specimens.
"The luck was that the corpse landed untouched on the sea floor," Fuchs told LiveScience. "The sea floor was free of oxygen and therefore free of scavengers. Both the anoxy [absence of oxygen] and a rapid sedimentation rate prevented decay."
Prior to this discovery only a single fossil species was known, and from fewer specimens than octopuses have legs, Fuchs said...
More @ http://www.livescience.com/animals/090318-fossil-octopus.html

Graphic © palautours.com

Explore Palau below the waves with Sam’s Tours and pamper yourself at the Palau Pacific Resort.

Palau is famous for its outstanding Landscapes and spectacular Dive Sites, a dream for every Nature Lover & Diver on the Planet.

After a good day of hiking, exploring, snorkeling or kayaking what better place to relax then at the Palau Pacific Resort. Tied from walking? Why don’t you view Palau from the air, take a great Helicopter ride with Palau Helicopters and get a birds eye view of the Rock Islands.
In the evening you have the choice to wine and dine at the Palau Pacific Resort or venture to the Taj for some exquisite authentic Indian food, or you can hang out at Kraemers for some good food and a drink or two.
Watch the Sunset with your Dive Buddies at the Bottom Time Bar and Grill right at Sam’s Tours after your Dive.
New to Palau, don’t know what to do? You can check always with the Palau Visitors Authority or with your local Tour Operators what is happening around town or what trip to take.

© Gunther Deichmann - Bai, traditional meeting House

It’s an early start with a full day ahead of us. We are staying at the Palasia Hotel located in the centre of Koror. The room I am in has views across the tree-tops out to the sea, other rooms have town views. The Palasia is one of Palau’s better hotels and has approximately 165 rooms configured around a central open atrium. The hotel is especially popular with Asian tourists (mainly from Taiwan, Japan and Korea) although there were also a number of European divers staying there as well.

Breakfast (and indeed Dinner) was on a buffet basis and although there do appear to be ‘a la carte’ options many of the hotels provide buffets for their meals. Interestingly the dining room was very busy between 07.00am and 08.00am and thereafter pretty much empty. Primarily this is because many people visiting Palau are taking part in daily tour activities such as diving, island tours, kayaking etc. Operators like Sam’s Tours (see more later) collect their guests from the hotels and then assist them back later that day. Very few of the hotels actually have their own dive operator or tour centre in-house and instead the typical model is for the hotels to concentrate on accommodation and for the tours and trips to be provided by external operators. Similarly, very few of the Dive Centres appear have their own accommodation or resorts.

Just a word on tourism in Palau; it’s proximity to the rest of mainland Asia means that it is a popular destination for Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean visitors. There are also a number of arrivals from China. However, diving is the main draw and it is rightly considered to be one of the best diving destinations in the world – this means that there are also steadily increasing numbers of European. Australian, SE Asian and US divers coming to experience the underwater world.

Breakfast at the Palasia was similar to many others – a combination of Western and Asian flavours. We were then met by our guide and Marketing Representative from the PVA – the excellent Mr Kadoi Ruluked – who was to be with us for our trip. Kadoi was a fountain of knowledge and an obvious love of all things Palau related. Our plan today was to see as many of the hotels, resorts and operators as possible during the course of the day. First stop was West Plaza by the Sea.

The West Plaza group own 5 hotels throughout the Koror area and they are very popular with visiting divers. Indeed Sam’s Tours provide some excellent value Diving / Touring packages using West Plaza as the accommodation. West Plaza hotels have basic but clean and efficient rooms, with television, a.c, tea and coffee making facilities etc and are ideal for those on a budget who wish to concentrate their resources on diving and touring. Blue Horizons will provide you with more details of flights, accommodation and diving packages for these hotels.

Next stop was Palau Plantation Resort which has more traditional buildings set in tropical gardens on the side of a small cultivated valley. Definitely popular with the Japanese market the rooms range from simple to high end.

We then briefly called into IMPAC Tours who provided some welcome cold drinks (March temperatures being a warm and sunny 36 degrees). IMPAC provide a range of tours and diving trips primarily for the Japanese market.

Our final stop prior to lunch was to call into the Palau International Coral Reef Center. The PICRC is located on the water on the south west tip of Koror. It is an autonomous government project and non-profit organisation designed to highlight Palau’s marine bio-diversity and to act as an educational / tourist tool. Of course nothing beats seeing the marine world in its natural habitat but this is an interesting place to visit for an hour or so. There are a number of themed aquariums and a great deal of visitor information is available.

Lunch was spent at the impressive Elilai Restaurant. Elilai is a set on a side of the hill of Ngerkebesang and has stunning views across the sea to the neighbouring islands. It is just 5 – 10 minutes drive from downtown Koror. Owner Takuya Mizokami and his team have prepared an interesting fusion menu and a modern dining space that is open and breezy. This is well worth visiting during a visit to Palau. The highlight of lunch for many was a perfectly fresh piece of tuna lightly fried and served ‘fish and chip style’!

Our afternoon continued with a visit to the Cliffside Hotel. Previously this was a very popular choice with Diving guests but has undergone a number of management changes over the past couple of years and some feedback has been a little negative. Rooms are big and spacious and it is to be hoped that the current management can restore the Hotel’s reputation.

Next up was Neco Marine one of the larger dive operators in Palau. They have a solid reputation and a good location with some excellent looking boats moored up to their dock.

Our final stop of the day was at Sam’s Tours where I met old friends and some new ones (hello Adela and Russelle) for the first time. Sam’s Tours considered to be one of the best Dive Operators in the Pacific and probably the world. No space here to do them justice so a full report on Sam’s to follow tomorrow.

At day end we returned back to Palasia for a tour of the hotel and facilities (include fitness centre, pool area, bar, restaurant etc) and a very pleasant meal where we joined by Janine Wong (General Manager) and Janice Aguon (Asst Manager - Sales and Marketing).

Finally, after wrestling with the vagaries of wi-fi access, it was time to head off to the room. The next day was a Rock Islands tour day and one which everyone was very much looking forward to….

I have picked up this Blog Post from our good friend and top Underwater Photographer Tony Wu, I personally have never seen or encounter this one, if any larger it will send shiver down your spine. Now I know where Hollywood gets all those Alien Movie Ideas from, of course from our so precious and little explored oceans.
You have to check this one out… on purpose I have not included the image, I like to keep you in suspense, he, he. See the LINK below.
GD
Excerpts from Tony Wu’s Blog post:
Incidentally, a few nights ago on another night dive, we found and played with a couple of bobbit worms (Eunice aphroditois)…
a nocturnal, predatory polychaete worm.
I first sought out and photographed these scary animals about a decade ago in Secret Bay, Bali. We stayed up most of the night, diving in dark, cold waters to observe bobbit behaviour…read more and view the Bobbit Worm @

http://www.tonywublog.com/20090319/fright-night.html

Late NEWS received from Sam’s Tour’s Blog, posted by Dermot Keane today the 18th of March 2009.

Repeal of Palau's Shark Protection Laws Proposed!

A Bill is now before Palau's OEK (Congress) that if passed would eliminate Palau's strong shark protection laws and actively encourage fishing for sharks and the taking of shark fins.

Senate Bill No. 8-44 seeks "to amend Title 27 of Palau's National Code to allow for the commercial fishing of sharks within Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone, to impose a tax on the export of sharks and tuna-like species, and for other related purposes."
The proposed law is a potentially severe blow to Palau's tourism industry of which scuba diving is the mainstay. Palau gained international recognition in 2004 for passage of landmark legislation that protected sharks, turtles and rays and outlawed the practice of shark-finning. Under Senate Bill 8-44 it is unclear whether shark fishing and or shark-finning is or is not permitted and the ambiguity will make it virtually impossible for law enforcement to successfully prosecute potential violators. Sections of the bill read as follows:
"It is unlawful for any person: to remove the fins of or otherwise intentionally mutilate or injure any such shark"...
Read More @ Sam’s Tours Blog

Please call Continental Airlines in Manila Philippines at; 818-8701 or 032 -233-7533 in Cebu City.

The second day at the Travel&Tour Expo in Manila has been another success for the Palau Visitors Authority and participating Operators.
Of course with the support of Continental Airlines and their special packages from as low as US$ 495. - for 3 days. (for more info see the previous Blog from Friday)
Tomorrow is the last day of the Show, so you better hurry up and book your next vacation at Continental Airlines or Visit the PVA Palau Visitors Authority Booth at the Travel and Trade Expo Mall of Asia complex SMX for your Dream Vacation above and below the waves.
Thinking of getting Married? Then you have to check out the Palau Pacific Resort, they can make all the arrangement for you’re wedding and an unforgettable Honeymoon in Paradise.

Smiling faces at the PVA Booth: visit-palau.com
Left: representative from Fish n’Fins & Ocean Hunter, Carol Ngiraidis Vice President/CFO Dolphins Pacific, Darin d Leon General Manager and CEO Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Adela M. Balangkig Accounting Manager Sam,’s Tours, Loreen Sugiyama Marketing Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) and Lutchie Jorge PVA Sales and Marketing Representative.

Continental Airlines, located right next to
the Palau Visitors Authority Booth, PVA

Saturdays huge Crowd

Including roundtrip economy class airfare to Palau,two (2) nights hotel accommodation,daily hotel breakfast and roundtrip airport transfers. For more information and reservation, please call Continental Airlines at; 818-8701 or 032 -233-7533 in Cebu City. Or contact your local Travel Agent.

The Continental Airline Booth is right next to Palau
Visitors Authority.

Palau Visitors Booth (PVA) Darin de Leon from PVA
and representatives from the Tour and Resort Operators.
http://www.visit-palau.com/

Palau Visitors Authority participation in the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 in Manila, held at February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. Participating Tour and Resort Operators from Palau: Dolphins Pacific, Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) Fish‘n Fins, Ocean Hunter & Sam’s Tours had all their representatives in the PVA Booth.

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event, covering practically all segments of the travel business.
After its successful move to SMX Convention Center this year, preparations are again underway for the 16th TravelTour Expo 2009 which will take place on February 6 to 8 at Halls 2, 3 & 4 of SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
With the theme “Travel in Style” , the event features two new segments – lifestyle (which will cover travel accessories, health and wellness products and services, culinary schools, car rentals and the like) and food sellers with lounge areas.
PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER MORE IN DEPTHS UPDAYE SHORTLY, DIRECT FROM THE TRAVEL EXPO IN MANILA.

Shark Weeks 2009 is a year long shark education and awareness program offered by Sam's Tours Palau, a PADI 5-Star National Geographic Dive Center and eco-tour operator, in conjunction with Palau Shark Sanctuary a shark conservation organization, in support of the International Year of the Shark 2009.

Shark Weeks is a One Year Programme initiated by Sam's Tours – where every week is a shark week.

© Gunther Deichmann - Dive with Sharks...
NOT Kill the sharks!

Quote : “In the 21st century, shark-finning* is barbaric”
Dr. Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
Explorer-in-Residence
National Geographic

More on Dr Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer who has just recently visited Sam’s Tours in Palau with Actress Daryl Hannah.

Photo © Dermot Keane -
from left: Dr Sylvia Earle, Dermot Keane GM
of Sam’s Tours and Actress Daryl Hannah

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

I'm happy to announce that my new (and first) website for the Palau Shark Sanctuary is finally launched. While there are still some edits and revisions required, the basic site is up and running. The URL is: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/
Additionally, my BLOG located at: http://www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/ will soon be linked to the new site.

I'm deeply indebted to my good friend, fellow environmentalist and amazing photographer Gunther Deichmann who sponsored and created the site in support of the International Year of the Shark 2009. Gunther was instrumental in helping me get the Shark Sanctuary off the ground back in 2001 and has been and ardent supporter ever since. Many thanks Gunther and Webmaster Arnold Munoz. I sincerely appreciate your support.
Check out Gunther's Blog at: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

I also owe considerable thanks to Mr. Dennis Camblin of Logo Pacific, Hawaii who has supported me from day one and launched the Palau Shark Sanctuary line of logo clothing which has helped fund my efforts since 2001. Thanks Dennis!
Thanks also to Sam's Tours and Ben Franklin Department Store who are corporate sponsors of Palau Shark Sanctuary and sell Shark Sanctuary logo clothing in support of the efforts to end shark-finning in Palau and elsewhere.
Sam's Tours: http://www.samstours.com
Please pay a visit to http://www.sharksanctuary.com/ and link to: http://www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/ for the latest news on sharks and shark conservation efforts in Palau.

SAVE OUR SHARKS!
http://www.sharksanctuary.com/

Protect Palau 's sharks and other marine creatures.

The Palau Shark Sanctuary, Palau 's first shark conservation organization, was founded in November 2001, in response to the reckless slaughter of Palau 's sharks for shark fins, by foreign vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters.
For more information please go to: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/mission.html
Some minor work is still been carried out on this newly launched site, more updates of images, text and a Blog will follow shortly so please stay tuned.

Dr. Susan Lark's Squalane Now Made From Olives, Not Sharks
Dr. Susan Lark is proud to announce that she is reformulating her squalane skin care line. The new line will contain squalane sourced from olives rather than sharks.

Potomac, MD (PRWEB) January 5, 2009 -- Dr. Susan Lark is proud to announce that she is reformulating her squalane skin care line. The new line will contain squalane sourced from olives rather than sharks.

The first new product, called Trilane Anti-Aging Moisturizer with Squalane, is currently in development. It will contain 100 percent natural, eco-friendly squalane sourced from olives, which has the same hydrating properties as shark-derived squalane, but without the worry of the overfishing associated with shark squalane. In addition, the new formula will contain natural jojoba esters, a botanically-derived emollient that helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin firmness.

http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/
SAVE SHARKS FROM
E XTINCTION

Here are the results of SCUBA DIVING MAGAZINE Readers' Choice Survey:
SCUBA Diving Magazine Top 100 Readers' Choice Survey Jan/Feb 2009 Issue

Pacific & Indian Oceans

TOP DIVE DESTINATIONS:
1. Palau
TOP WALL DIVING:
1. Palau
TOP UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY:
1. Palau
TOP MARINE ENVIRONMENT:
2. Palau
TOP MARINE LIFE:
2. Palau
TOP VISIBILITY:
2. Palau
TOP WRECK DIVE:
3. Palau
TOP BIG ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS:
4. Palau
TOP MACRO LIFE:
5. Palau

The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Palau's official tourism board, announced their selection of Sam's Tours as "TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR" for 2008. The announcement and award presentation took place during the Annual Christmas Gala of the Belau Tourism Association (BTA), Palau's private sector tourism industry association, recently held at the Palau Pacific Resort.
Awarding winning is not new to Sam’s Tours which has been consistently recognized over the years not only by government and industry bodies for their commitment to development of sustainable tourism in Palau but also by their customers for consistent service excellence. In 2007 Sam's Tours received a Top 10 Sponsor Award from PVA for "their continual support and sponsorship" and in 2006 the private sector Belau Tourism Association recognized Sam's Tours with their Outstanding Member Award for their "dedication, support and commitment over the years to Belau Tourism Association and its objectives.”
The readers of a leading international dive magazine have recognized Sam’s Tours more than any other dive center in Palau or Micronesia with seven “Readers Choice Awards” since 1997 including a Gold List Award for top dive center, top staff, and top value.
Sam’s Tours is the first and only dive center in Palau to receive the Palau Conservation Society “Ten Year Partner in Conservation Award” and is a Corporate Sponsor of the Palau Shark Sanctuary, a shark conservation organization founded in 2001 by Sam’s Tours General Manager, Dermot Keane, to help bring an end to the destructive practice of shark-finning by foreign fishing fleets operating in Palau’s waters. The Palau Shark Sanctuary received a PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Environmental Education Gold Award for their work.
“Sam’s Tours has consistently demonstrated their long standing commitment to responsible tourism development, environmental preservation, and excellence in customer service and while recognition is not what drives us to excel, we sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of our efforts by our industry peers and our valued customers alike” said Dermot Keane, General Manager, Sam’s Tours.

Thank you for your continued support in the Palau Pacific Resort.

Phone: (680) 488-2600 ext. 474
Fax: (680) 488-1606
Email: loreensugiyama@ppr-palau.com
Web: www.palauppr.com

All Photos courtesy of Sam’s Tours Palau

Bill Fish are most productive from March through December and Mahi Mahi are most productive in December through April.
So why dont you book your next fishing trip with
Sam’s Tours or Neco Marine in December when the Mahi Mahi is still around to give you a great workout...

The latest NEWS from Sam’s Tours is Fly Fishing now in Palau
Fish in the worlds most exotic fishing hotspots

* Fly fishing and light tackle fishing.
* Coastal and Night Fishing, River estuaries, Flats, Lagoons, Sea grass, Reefs and
Open Water Fishing.
* Casting Lessons provided for beginners!
* Tarpon, Bonefish, Barracuda, Giant Trevally,
Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) etc.
* Catch and release only.
* All New Premium Equipment for
Fly, Spincasting and Baitcaster.
* 2 Boats for flats, rivers or reefs,
20', and 16' flats.
* Family fishing trips, great for kids.
* Wade fishing trips on request

Have you ever considered a Sailing Trip around the Rock Islands in Palau?
Sailing and Diving in Palau with the Eclipse @ http://www.palau-divensail.com/

Sailing trips and deep sea fishing are among the more relaxing sea going activities, and what could be better than a silent cruise through the many protected lagoons, undisturbed by the whine of motorized vessels. For lunch or dinner, or simply to marvel at the fabulous sunset, just anchor adjacent to one of the sandy beaches, sit back, relax and be pampered by your friendly crew.

If you plan a visit to Palau Micronesia then you have to check out the Palau Pacific Resort not only for it’s amazing and beautiful location but for its incredible landscaped Gardens where you find many different species of Orchids.

© Gunther Deichmann & PPR Palau


© Gunther Deichmann & PPR Palau

But that is not all, PPR has an excellent choice of Food from special prepared dishes just for you or the amazing Buffet.
Enjoy PPR at sunset and relax with cocktails or dinner at the Beach Front, it is here where you can view the best sunsets in Palau.
For more information Click this LINK or go direct to PPR’s website @ http://palauppr.com/default-en.html

© Gunther Deichmann - WWII shipwreck in the
Truk Lagoon, Chuuk Micronesia

WWII wrecks 'threaten Micronesia'
By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney
Micronesia's main sources of revenue are
diving and fishing

Australian scientists are warning of an environmental disaster in Micronesia as World War II wrecks start to leak fuel into the region's pristine lagoons.
The wrecks attract tourists from all over the world but now appear to be a serious pollution threat.
Thousands of Japanese and US vessels are scattered on the sea beds in the area and have become home to an abundance of marine life.
Micronesia is in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of 600 islands.
Diving and fishing are the region's main sources of revenue, but both could be severely damaged by a toxic threat that lurks in the tropical waters.
Scientists have said that an oil slick from a submerged ship is already contaminating the Chuuk lagoon, where dozens of Japanese vessels were sunk by American bombers...
read more @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-
pacific/7603993.stm

Your browser doesn't support JavaScript or you have disabled JavaScript.

PalauTours.com, a newly launched commercial website which aims to become the most comprehensive portal on the worldwide web for Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. Our site is intended to be visually stunning, rich in up-to-date, accurate, and
informative content,and highly visible to all of the major search engines and web directories through our toplevel search engine marketing.
Our goal is simple; we intend to provide every business in Palau with affordable advertising and promotional opportunities to grow their businesses byshowcasing Palau as a world class tourist destination!
While PalauTours.com is only now being officially announced and launched, our technical team has working behind the scenes for quite some time to ensure our visibility across the web, as proven by our strong and rapidly growing site traffic.
PalauTours.com comes complete with a Blog feature that instantly delivers information updates, product announcements, news, current events and other promotional programs directly from our site participants to web viewer’s world wide. PalauTours.com cordially invites your to join our Palau marketing and promotional web campaignthrough a selection of our very affordable
advertisement opportunities. Please request for the Rate Sheet.
For further details and information, please email us at admin@palautours.com or feel free
to contact us at:
Tel + 632-523-3179
Tel + 632-522-5232
We hope to hear from you soon!
Your Palau Tours Team

Photo © “Eye contact”
...dont leave Palau without this magic shot.

Splash Dive Center at the Palau Pacific Resort (http://www.splash-palau.com/eg/splashinfo/othertour.html)
Neco Marine (http://www.necomarine.com/facility.html)and FishnFins (http://fishnfins.com/Photo-Shop.html)have their own smaller production facilities and Camera rentals on site, eqipment is for rental or get yourself into the frame with a dive guide using the Video or Digital Camera.
At Sam’s Tours (http://www.samstours.com/services-photocenter.html)you find the ultimate in Digital Imaging a complete set up with six iMac computers and processing software
like Aperture and Photoshop Elements. They even back up all your CF Cards to their external hard drives, burn CD’s and DVD’s. plus there is Wi-Fi all around you and if you like transfer
all your images on to your iPod. Rental equipment is also available, small Video Cams and Digital Cameras with Housings, plus an on site Videographer.

I guess Palau has it pretty much covered and you have no problems dealing with all your Photographic requirements during your vacation below and above the waves.

Happy shooting, your Palau Tours Team

A fossilized Ammonite from the Jurassic period
some 160 million years ago.


This photo of the Nautilus, (a close relative of the Ammonite)
was taken in Palau Micronesia.

Fossil fills out water-land leap

Courtesy By Matt McGrath
BBC science correspondent
Scientists say a fossil of a four-legged fish sheds new light on the process of evolution. The creature had a fish-like body but the head of an animal more suited to land than water.
The researchers' study, published in the journal Nature, says Ventastega curonica would have looked similar to a small alligator. Scientists say the 365-million-year-old species eventually became an evolutionary dead end.

Counting digits
About one hundred million years before dinosaurs began to roam the Earth, Ventastega was to be found in the shallow waters and tidal estuaries of modern day Latvia.

According to lead author, Professor Per Ahlberg, from Uppsala University, Sweden, this creature had the head of a tetrapod, an animal adapted to live on land. The body, though, was fish-like but with four primitive flippers.
"From a distance, it would have looked like an alligator. But closer up, you would have noticed a real tail fin at the back end, a gill flap at the side of the head; also lines of pores snaking across head and body.

"In terms of construction, it had already undergone most of the changes from fish towards land animal, but in terms of lifestyle you are still looking at an animal that is habitually aquatic."
Experts believe that Ventastega was an important staging post in the evolutionary journey that led creatures from the sea to the land. Scientists once believed that these early amphibious animals descended in a linear fashion, but this discovery instead confirms these creatures diversified into different branches along the way.

Professor Ahlberg points to the discovery of a fossil called Tiktaalik in Canada in 2004. It is believed to be the "missing link" in the gap between fish and land mammals. Ventastega is a later species but is a more primitive form of transition animal.
"Ventastega fills the gap between Tiktaalik and the earliest land based mammals. All these changes in these creatures are not going in lockstep; it's a mosaic with different parts of animal evolving at different rates. Ventastega has acquired some of land-animal characteristics, but has not yet got some of the other ones."

For instance, the creature had primitive feet - but with a high number of digits...read more & photos go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7473470.stm

© Gunther Deichmann - for more environment related images go to:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/environment.html

'Only 50 years left' for sea fish'
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website

Natural protection
There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas by the middle of the century if current trends continue, according to a major scientific study. Stocks have collapsed in nearly one-third of sea fisheries, and the rate of decline is accelerating.
Writing in the journal Science, the international team of researchers says fishery decline is closely tied to a broader loss of marine biodiversity.
But a greater use of protected areas could safeguard existing stocks. "The way we use the oceans is that we hope and assume there will always be another species to exploit after we've completely gone through the last one," said research leader Boris Worm, from Dalhousie University in Canada.

This century is the last century of wild seafood
Steve Palumbi
Should fish be off the menu?
Send us your comments "What we're highlighting is there is a finite number of stocks; we have gone through one-third, and we are going to get through the rest," he told the BBC News website.

Steve Palumbi, from Stanford University in California, one of the other scientists on the project, added: "Unless we fundamentally change the way we manage all the ocean species together, as working ecosystems, then this century is the last century of wild seafood."

Spanning the seas
This is a vast piece of research, incorporating scientists from many institutions in Europe and the Americas, and drawing on four distinctly different kinds of data.
For the complete article go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6108414.stm

Aerial view of pinchers lagoon, a favorite spot for dive training
due to its shallow waters. (excerpts from Fins Magazine)

:: PALAU ::
Palau was first brought to world attention when Captain Henry Wilson of the English vessel “Antelope” was
shipwrecked on Palau’s barrier reef near the island of Ulong in 1783. With assistance from Koror’s High Chief
Ibedul, Captain Wilson and his crew used wreckage of the Antelope to build another vessel and sailed away three
months later. Joining them on their journey back to England was Lebuu, son of the high chief. Word of Captain Wilson’s voyage spread, leading to further European contact, and in 1885, Spain was granted control of Palau by Pope Leo XIII. In 1899, Palau was sold by Spain to Germany, which quickly established mining and other operations to tap Palau’s abundant natural resources. Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, Palau was granted to the Japanese under the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, and by 1922, it had become the administrative headquarters for Japanese-controlled territories in Micronesia and the South Pacific. Japan closed off Palau (and other areas in Micronesia) from the rest of the world and began heavy fortification of the islands. Palau endured heavy fighting during World War II, including massive aerial bombardments of Koror, particularly during the assault of Peleliu Island by US Marines that resulted in horrendous casualties on both sides. Remnants of WWII
are still visible throughout Palau today, including many ship and plane wrecks resting at the bottom of Palau’s
inner lagoon. On 1 October 1994, Palau became the last of the UN Trust Territory islands to gain independence, following the signing of a Compact of Free Association with the United States, and it became a member of the United Nations.

Exploring, kayaking and spectacular diving in Palau
(excerpts from Fins Magazine)

Palau is located at the crossroads of the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea, which is one of the world’s richest
zones of tropical marine biodiversity. This makes Palau a world-class scuba diving destination that few places on
the globe can rival. Palau’s marine ecosystems include barrier reefs, fringing reefs, seagrass beds, marine lakes and mangrove forests. Palau’s marine biodiversity includes over 1,300 species of fish, an abundance of large pelagic animals and over 700 species of corals. Palau was chosen by the National Geographic Society as the
first Underwater Wonder of the World and was featured on Discovery Channel’s “Living Edens” series. It is home to one of the highest number of marine species in the world, and its marine habitats support an enormous density of coral, fish and other invertebrates. Seven of the nine species of giant Tridacna clams are found in Palau, along with the world’s most remote population of dugongs. Palau’s signature dive is Blue Corner, a shallow reef-top promontory with vivid corals, huge schools of fish and ever-present schools of patrolling sharks.Without a doubt, Blue Corner consistently lives up to its reputation for “adrenaline diving” and is a dive that can be repeated time and again without fear of boredom!

In our next few blogs we introduce you to Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei...plus a lot more.

A variety of traditional conservation methods are still observed ensuring healthy fish populations. There are also formal restrictions such as the Koror State Rangers' annual enforcement of no fishing between April 1 and July 31 in Ngerumekaol, and no fishing at any time within one mile of Ngemelis Island...read more @
http://www.palautours.com/tour-fishing.html

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What is earthrace?
The goal of Earthrace is to set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, running 100% renewable biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint. The amazing Earthrace boat will make the attempt starting from Sagunto in Spain. Earthrace is also undertaking a two year promotional tour, visiting 100 great cities around the globe. The crew meet local people, talk about their experiences, and most of all connect with people about the need to get renewable fuels into our energy mix and to inspire them to do something themselves to minimise their impact on the environment.

KOROR, PALAU, May 29, 2008:

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat returns to Palau on its second attempt to break the Round-The-World record set by the vessel Cable and Wireless back in 1998. The 24,000 nautical mile journey began in Spain and has included crossing the Atlantic Ocean, transiting the Panama Canal, and crossing the Eastern Pacific enroute to Hawaii. The current leg of the journey now underway took EARTHRACE from Hawaii to Majuro, Marshall Islands with Palau as the next refueling stop before heading for Singapore.

The complete round-the-world itinerary includes Sagunto (Spain) – Horta (Azores) – San Juan (Puerto Rico) – Colon (Panama Canal, Panama) – Manzanillo (Mexico) – San Diego (USA) – Maalaea Harbor, Maui (Hawaii) – Majuro (Marshall Islands) – Koror (Palau) – Singapore – Kochi/Cochin (India) – Salalah (Oman) – Port Said (Suez Canal, Egypt) – Sagunto (Spain).

EARTHRACE powered in to Hawaii well ahead of the record time however she suffered a fuel line failure shortly after departure that reduced her to one engine, slowing her progress from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands where repairs were made to get her back in the race. Even on one engine, EARTHRACE manages 16 knots so despite the delays, she remains very much in the race.

Skipper Peter Bethune said: “The progress we’ve made so far is nothing short of outstanding, but it’s nervous times. There are so many possible situations that can slow
you down when you take on a challenge as ambitious as this, but the team has so far managed to overcome every obstacle that’s been thrown at us. “We’ve conquered the Atlantic and most of the Pacific, at an average speed of 20 knots. The engine problem is a setback but we have overcome challenges all the way through the race so far.”

Earthrace is already beyond the half-way point on its historic round-the-world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a vessel powered by renewable bio-diesel, a fuel created from plants and waste materials. Given diminishing fossil fuel reserves worldwide as highlighted by rapidly escalating gasoline costs, EARTHRACES goal to focus attention on the need to develop renewable sources of energy makes more and more sense.

EARTHRACE is crewed by skipper Peter Bethune, New Zealand; Robert Drewett, Britian; Mark Russel, Britian; and Adam Carlson, Sweden. The Royal Belau Yacht Club bestowed Lifetime Honorary Membership on Skipper, Peter Bethune during his last visit to Palau, recognizing him for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the art of circumnavigation.

EARTHRACE is scheduled to arrive in Koror, Palau late Saturday evening, May 31. The public is invited to join the Royal Belau Yacht Club in giving EARTHRACE and her crew a warm welcome to Palau at the Royal Belau Yacht Club, located at Sam’s Tours in Malakal, immediately following port clearance and refueling, Saturday evening.

On Sunday, EARTHRACE is open to the public for a unique opportunity to get a close up view of this radical wave-piercing high speed craft.

EARTHRACE is scheduled to depart late Sunday, June 1 or early Monday, June 2.

For more information, please contact the Royal Belau Yacht Club at 488-4382 or contact Sam’s Tours at 488-7267.

EARTHRACE on-line: www.earthrace.net

For visitors preferring to paddle rather than walk, kayaking tours are the perfect way to really get into the island archipelago. Kayaking conditions are diverse , ranging from leisurely (serene water inlets) to challenging (those with strong current, prominent waves or shifting tides).

Palau's famous Rock Islands are a maze of over 400 jungle-caped, mushroom-shaped islands within the barrier reef. What better way to become more intimately familiar with them than to kayak amongst them. Shallow lagoons, tunnel entrances to hidden marine lakes and lost wrecks all await discovery for those wanting to spend some time paddling amongst the islands. The calm water and slow pace gives the explorer plenty of opportunities to observe native vegetation as well as see a variety of sea, shore, and forest birds that inhabit the rock islands...
for more information please visit palautours.com

Bichu Maru: 10m/33ft to starboard rail amidships

The Bichu, a 110m/363ft long army cargo ship, lies on its port side at about a 60-degree angle. Bombs sunk the ship on March 30, 1944 by inflicting gaping holes through the numbertwo hold forward of the superstructure. All of the holds are now empty, while the starboard anchor still lies in its stowed position at the bow with beautiful sea whips growing on it.

Aft of this superstructure with three levels, divers will find the engine room with lots of valves and piping making it an interesting penetration. The galley is just aft of the engine room and has two doors leading into it. Stoves and a large rice kettle are visible in it. Below the galley, on the bottom of the lagoon amongst the silt, divers have uncovered undamaged pieces of china that slid off the wreck as it went down.

Juvenile harlequin sweetlips make the Bichu their home, along with 6-banded angelfish, 8-banded butterflyfish, 6-banded angelfish, Glossodoris egretta and eye-catching nudibranch.

Iro: bow in 20m/66ft, stern in 25m/83ft, forward mast up to 10m/33ft, bottom at 40m/132ft

The Iro was a Japanese navy fleet oiler, 140m/462ft long, sunk on March 31, 1944 after being damaged by a US submarine on its journey from the Philippines to Palau . This is the most popular wreck in Palau since it lies upright and its massive size and diversity of exploration points keep one from becoming bored. There are two huge guns mounted, one on the bow, one at the stern. Long companionways open into the quarters. Towards the stern divers find the smokestack lying towards the port side of the ship. Just aft of that lies the engine room that divers can look down into because its ceiling had been demolished by fire or explosions. The masts and kingpost have attracted a wide variety of invertebrate life; from sponges, to staghorn coral, sea whips, black coral, giant clams and oysters. Batfish, large pufferfish, 8-banded butterflyfish, orangebanded butterflyfish, and small big-eye trevally are commonly found along the ship.

Click the screenshot or this link to watch the video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7410421.stm

The flying fish takes to the air...watch the video @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7410421.stm
Some remarkable footage of a flying fish has been captured by a TV crew filming off the southern tip of Japan. It is claimed to be one of the longest recorded flights of this acrobatic animal.

The fish was completely airborne for 45 seconds. This beats one previous, impressive report from an American researcher in the 1920s of 42 seconds. The animal is seen travelling parallel to a ferry, which itself is motoring at about 30km/hour (20mph).
The fish was able to continue flying by occasionally beating the surface of the water with its tail fin. The footage was shot by an NHK crew as it travelled to Yakushima Island.
According to Junji Yonezawa, at the Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Outlying Islands, the animal's flight-time of 45 seconds must be close to its physical limit, as brachial respiration is impossible while moving through the air.
There are some 40 species of "flying fish" in the family known as Exocoetidae. The animals are found worldwide in warmer waters. Their flight ability comes from a glide rather than a powered flapping.

Palau Visitors Authority PVA

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Ocean Hunter I, II &III Liveaboard
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Palau's mushroom-shaped rock islands offer a variety of exciting dives: WWII wrecks, shark-infested channels, blue holes, a freshwater lake with stingless jellyfish and even a few caves. There are also sheer walls covered in lush soft corals and huge anemones. Beginner divers may find Palau's strong currents challenging. All dives are made from the 18-passenger dive skiff, which is lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle. Seven-day charters are Sunday to Sunday with five days and one-half days of diving. Diving begins Monday and ends Saturday morning. Transfers from the Palau airport are provided on the day of arrival and departure.

The island of Yap is notable for its “stone money” (Rai stones), large disks usually of calcite, up to four meters in diameter, with a hole in the middle.
There are five major types: Mmbul, Gaw, Ray,Yar, and Reng, the last being only 0.3 metres in diameter. Their value is based on both size and history, many of them having been brought from other islands, as far as New Guinea, but most coming in ancient times from Palau.
The islanders don’t necessarily move them when ownership changes. Approximately 6,500 of them are scattered around the island.You can find a large example (approximately 2.4-metreshigh) of Yapese stone money in the village of Gachpar.

© Gunther Deichmann - Milky Way, Palau Micronesia

© Gunther Deichmann - Is this what it looked like in Palau???
For some real images go to the link provided below...
this is only an artist impression.

The annual mass spawning of corals on the Palau archipelago in the western Pacific has occurred right on cue. With Sunday night's full moon, coral polyps let forth a huge swathe of sperm and egg, to seed the next generation.

The event was short-lived - only about 30 minutes - but so vast in its scale that it turned the sea water pink. Scientists from Palau, Australia and the UK are studying the practicality of collecting coral larvae to help restore damaged reefs elsewhere.

See what a mass spawning at Palau looks like (Reefvid.org)
As we got into the boat for our trip to Luke's reef, I admit I was not really expecting to see the mass spawning on the exact night of the full Moon. All the visiting scientists here thought it was more likely the reproductive extravaganza would happen the next evening or the following one - based on what had happened the last two years. The only person who seemed sure it would happen on cue was Steven Victor, the Palauan director of the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Local knowledge was spot on, as it turned out.
Almost as soon as the boat engine switched off, we got a sense that something might be brewing... you have to see and read the whole story...and images
@ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7358423.stm