THE JOB IS NOT FINISHED 'TIL THE PAPERWORK IS DONE!

Sam's Tours urges everyone who cares for the marine environment to show support for Palau's declaration of a

National Shark Sanctuary

by signing the on-line THANK YOU to

Palau President Johnson Toribiong.

CLICK HERE TO THANK
PRESIDENT TORIBIONG!

A Hero’s Welcome for Palau President Johnson Toribiong.

For Immediate Release:

KOROR, PALAU, 9/28/2009, 7:45 p.m.

A Hero’s Welcome for Palau President 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. (L) Dermot Keane, Palau Shark Sanctuary; (R) Palau President Johnson Toribiong.

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.

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.

Sam Scott, Sam's Tours (blue shirt)

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

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

All images courtesy Nick Martorano - Ocean Wonders.

Images are approved for use provided credit is noted to: http://www.oceanwonders.org/

THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT!

Sam's Tours salutes and thanks President Johnson Toribiong of Palau

for his unprecedented action in declaring Palau a

Shark Sanctuary.

THANK YOU PRESIDENT TORIBIONG!

(Please see President Toribiong's entire speech to the U.N. General Assembly in the earlier post below).

Sam's Tours congratulates and thanks the President for his strong stand in protecting Palau's sharks which are among the top reasons that many divers visit Palau. Palau already has in place among the strongest shark protection laws in the world. Declaring Palau as a shark sanctuary serves notice to the world that Palau is serious in it's commitment to shark conservation. Other nations need to follow suit.

We urge everyone to send a Thank You message to President Toribiong for his tremendous action in protecting sharks and other marine creatures.

The President has made it clear that he cares about the ocean.

Please show that you care too by letting the President Toribiong know you support his actions.

Sent your Thank You note to President Toribiong via Palau Shark Sanctuary at: sharksanctuary@gmail.com

Messages will be promptly delivered to the President's Office.

Thank You!

President Toribiong's Landmark Speech to U.N.

PALAU OFFICIALLY A SHARK SANCTUARY!

"The strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans. Therefore, I declare today that Palau will become the world’s first national shark sanctuary, ending all commercial shark fishing in our waters and giving a sanctuary for sharks to live and reproduce unmolested in our 237,000 square miles of ocean. We call upon all nations to join us." Johnson Toribiong, President of Palau, 9/25/09.

Below is President Toribiong's entire speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 25, 2009, in which he declared Palau as the WORLD'S FIRST NATIONAL SHARK SANCTUARY. I urge you to read this excellent speech and to then send a Thank You Note to President Toribiong commending him for his unprecedented actions to protect sharks and other marine creatures.

Send notes for President Toribiong to: sharksanctuary@gmail.com

Messages will be promptly delivered to the President's Office.

Thank You!

U.N. SPEECH: United Nations General Assembly, New York, September 25, 2009

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am speaking here for the first time as a Head of State. However, in 1977, I appeared with my country’s delegation before the Trusteeship Council seeking independence. In 1994, the Trusteeship ended and we took our place as a member of the United Nations. Our independence is testament to the success of the International Trusteeship System, for which we are grateful. The legacy of our experience is a Constitution which incorporates the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- freedom, democracy, equal protection, rule of law.

Mr. President,
Palauans have lived throughout history in symbiosis with the sea. We are seeing now though that the sea, which has long been the source of our sustenance, is both rising in rage to destroy us and becoming barren. This fury was caused by the abuses of humankind and we therefore need to take every action necessary to allow the oceans to heal themselves.
In days gone by, the traditional chiefs of Palau would declare a “bul” – a moratorium to protect a resource which had become scarce. This traditional concept, now popularly known as conservation, shows the way for us to move forward. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed. “ This is why the world must declare a bul on destructive fishing practices like deep sea bottom trawling, unsustainable harvesting of shark for their fins and overexploitation of tuna stocks.

Mr. President,
The odious fishing practice of bottom trawling, where a weighted net is dragged along the sea floor crushing nearly everything in its path, is contributing to the rapid loss of a critical ecosystem, our coral reefs. We have outlawed deep sea bottom trawling in Palau, but no matter what we do in our own waters, there must be an international solution.
For several years, we have advocated, along with our Pacific neighbors, a moratorium on this practice. The Sustainable Fisheries resolution adopted by the UN in 2007, urged nations and regional fisheries management organizations to stop trawling in sensitive areas by 2009. We have waited for compliance, which has not come, and now renew our call for a worldwide moratorium on this practice.

Mr. President,
An equally destructive fishing practice is shark-finning. We have banned it in Palau and call upon the world to address this issue in order to save the sharks from extinction.
The strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans. Therefore, I declare today that Palau will become the world’s first national shark sanctuary, ending all commercial shark fishing in our waters and giving a sanctuary for sharks to live and reproduce unmolested in our 237,000 square miles of ocean. We call upon all nations to join us.

Mr. President,
It is anomalous that Palau is experiencing economic difficulty while it sits in the middle of the richest waters in the world. We can no longer stand by while foreign vessels illicitly come to our waters to take our greatest resource, our tuna stocks, without regard to their conservation and without regard for adequate compensation to the island states which rely on this resource.
Palau believes that the best model for a regional effort to conserve our tuna resources and maximize the benefits to us is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). I therefore will work for the establishment of OTEC, the Organization of Tuna Exporting Countries, and I now call upon our friends in OPEC to come forward and help us to understand and obtain fair value from our threatened resource and to make tuna fishing sustainable.

Mr. President,
I come now to the economic crisis which my country is facing. As a developing nation, we are grateful for the grants provided by our allies and partners to advance our development. They have been helpful. But, we must acknowledge that outright grants do not always create meaningful employment. Jobs created are illusory and temporary.
Without a strong local economy, our children, our most valuable resource, are leaving our shores for opportunities elsewhere. As they leave it creates a continuing downward cycle which we must stop.

Our allies and partners can help us stop this cycle by promoting the development of private enterprise in our country. We need capital, and entrepreneurial expertise. I implore our allies and partners to consider providing incentives to their nationals to encourage them to come to our islands and launch partnerships with our talented people to create a viable economy. Let us once and for all put aside the fiction that we need handouts. What we need are partners to help advance our economy and put an end to the out-migration of our people.

Mr. President,
We note with satisfaction the decision by the People’s Republic of China to invite Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly. The health and safety of the world’s people is at the heart of the ideals of the UN. In order to further promote these, we recommend that Taiwan be invited to participate meaningfully in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international organizations.

Mr. President,
We have heard the voices of world leaders from countries small and large, powerful and vulnerable. We have heard the voice of science. Let us heed these voices, fulfill our obligations to our people, and work for a strong economy and a healthy planet.

Thank you.

# # #

PALAU TO DECLARE EEZ A SHARK SANCTUARY!

PALAU TO BE DECLARED a SHARK SANCTUARY !!!!!!!!

Friday September 25, 2009
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, New York.

H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau, will announce to the General Assembly of the United Nations that the waters of Palau's Exclusive Economic Zone (230, 000 Sq. Miles / 620,000 Sq. Kms.) are declared the worlds first officially recognized SHARK SANCTUARY!

President Toribiong will also called for a global ban on shark-finning and for other nations to follow suit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/science/earth/25shark.html

President Toribiong's declaration will signal Palau's continued position as a global leader in shark protection and puts to rest recent fears that Palau's resolve in protecting sharks was waning. With this announcement Palau will remain clearly at the very forefront of worldwide efforts to protect sharks from unsustainable destruction.

This is tremendous news for Palau and for the worldwide battle to protect sharks from unsustainable destruction!

Sam's Tours anxiously awaits the official announcement and will deeply commend President Toribiong for his strong international leadership in world wide efforts to protect sharks.

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.

Keeping The Crew Happy!

L-R: Matsuo, Eddy, Flavin, Annloyd,Jade, J-Five, Daniel, Jason - looking cool in their new BOAT COATS! Picture by Nick Martorano.

There's a whole lot of happiness going on at Sam's Tours!

Keeping our guests super happy has always been mission number one for everyone on the team here at Sam's Tours, and keeping our guests happy starts with keeping our team members happy. You know the drill...happy people keep people happy! That's a whole lot of happiness going on!!!

Well, I'm really happy to report that all of our dive crews are now the happy owners of BOAT COATS.....the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to keeping warm and dry out on the water. Manufactured by DIVEGEAR USA http://divegearusa.com/ the BOAT COAT is perfect for dive guides and boat captains alike. With a soft nylon outer shell and a fleece lined interior, the BOAT COAT is designed to keep you warm and dry and can be worn right over your wetsuit. It's nice and long so that you're still well covered when sitting down, and the two way zipper makes it easy to adjust for comfort. The fleece lining keeps you warm without becoming waterlogged and the outer shell blocks the wind and rain. The BOAT COAT is a top quality garment with features designed for divers.

I met Susan Shaw, President of DIVEGEAR USA at a recent trade show and had an opportunity to check out the BOAT COAT firsthand. I was so impressed with the quality and features of the BOAT COAT that I ordered one for each of our boat crews including dive guides and boat captains and will carry them in our retail store along with other quality garments from DIVEGEAR USA.

P.R.A., a local Palau company specializing in logo clothing did a wonderful job embroidering Sam's Tours logo and each crew members name on their coat. Pictured above are some of the staff happily modeling their personalized BOAT COATS.

Check out http://divegearusa.com for more info on DIVEGEAR quality clothing or contact info@samstours.com to order your very own BOAT COAT. Be Happy!

Update on proposed Shark Fishing legislation in Palau, Micronesia.

The two controversial Senate Bills (SB8-44 and SB8-50) which propose to undo Palau’s landmark shark protection laws adopted under the previous Remengesau Administration in 2003, are both pending at the Senate Committee on Resources, Commerce, Trade and Development.
SB No. 8-44 which proposes to allow commercial fishing for sharks was introduced on March 5, 2009 and passed 1st reading on that same day.

SB No. 8-50 which proposes to exempt commercial fishing companies from export taxes on fish caught by purse-seining methods for a period of 5 years was introduced on March 26, 2009 and passed first reading on the same day too.

Picture left of shark fins burned in protest in 2002 by former President Tommy Remengesau Jr. PHOTO: Kevin Davidson.

For background information on these controversial Bills please visit: http://www.sharksanctuary.blogspot.com/ Visit Palau Shark Sanctuary for more information on shark conservation efforts in Palau at: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/

According to Senate sources if the committee reports on these proposed Bills in the next session of the Senate which opens tomorrow, the Bills will go to their 2nd Reading.

The shark conservation organization SHARK SAVERS has created an on-line petition where you may register your opposition to Senate Bill 8-44 and commercial shark fishing. Please visit the link below and sign this petition today. Time is of the essence. Please act now!!!

Picture left of illegal shark catch from Palau licensed fishing vessel arrested by Palau Patrol boat 2007. PHOTO Christopher Hale.

Petition Link: http://www.sharksavers.org/en/get-involved/sign-these-petitions/542-petition -to-palau-stop-senate-bill-8-44-on-shark-fishing.html

Also, please continue to pass the word to others and continue to submit comments to Palau Chamber of Commerce and Belau Tourism Association respectively at: pcoc@palaunet.com and bta@palaunet.com

Many thanks to all who have already acted including professional photographers and environmentalists EDWARD DORSON, TODD ESSICK and GUNTHER DEICHMANN who are among the many concerned individuals who have taken time to submit their comments in opposition to these Bills. These professional photographers have all visited and dived in Palau and know just how important sharks are to Palau’s tourism industry and to the entire marine eco-system. We appreciate their support.

Visit their websites and blogs for more information and fantastic images at:

Edward Dorson: http://dorsonstudios.com/

Todd Essick: http://www.essickphoto.com/

Gunther Deichmann: http://gdphotonews.blogspot.com/

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

The Great Easter Egg Hunt!

Our friends at SEA BEES DIVING Thailand who are members of the Quality Divers network and winners of the coveted Golden Dolphin Award, are organizing an on-line Easter Egg Hunt for 6 GOLDEN EASTER EGGS! Here are the details:

SEA BEES DIVERS have hidden a number of golden eggs on their webpage http://www.sea-bees.com/eng/index.htm and on the Quality Divers webpage http://www.quality-divers.com/qd/english/kern.htm

Anyone who finds all 6 of the eggs will be included in their lucky draw for great prizes as follows: 1st prize: 6 daytrips with 12 dives with the Quality Divers Partner of your choice.

2nd prize: 4 daytrips with 8 dives with the Quality Divers Partner of your choice.

3rd prize: 2 daytrips with 4 dives with the Quality Divers Partner of your choice.

That's right! Winners can redeem their prize at any Quality Divers location round the world.

Visit http://www.quality-divers.com/ for complete info on Quality Divers twelve member dive centres in Egypt, Croatia, Thailand, Madeira, the Philippines, Mexico, France, Gozo, the Seychelles, Yap and Palau in Micronesia and the Caribbean. Truly a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY to have some fun, win great prizes and enjoy world class diving!

Here's all you have to do:
Visit SEA BEES DIVERS homepage and find 3 golden eggs. Record the unique number of each egg. Visit the Quality Divers web page where there are 3 more hidden eggs and again record the unique number of each egg. When you've found all six (6) Golden Eggs send an e-mail to Sea Bees Divers with all 6 numbers - the order is not important.

All e-mails with the right numbers will participate in the lucky draw. The entry deadline is the 30th April 2009. The winners will be notified by e-mail and published on the Sea Bees Blog. Quality Divers and Sea Bees staff are not allowed to participate. Good luck!
Dermot

Sam's Tours Joins the Quality Divers Network!

Sam's Tours recently became a member of QUALITY DIVERS an international Association of First Class Dive Operators whose membership spans the globe and includes Manta Ray Bay Hotel & Yap Divers, our very own next door neighbor on the beautiful island of Yap, Micronesia. Other member dive centres are located in Egypt, Croatia, Thailand, Madeira, the Philippines, Mexico, France, Gozo, Seychelles, and the Caribbean and new applications for membership continue to be received.

The purpose of Quality Divers is to offer divers a worldwide network of first class dive companies committed to providing excellence in service, satisfaction and safety. Sam's Tours appreciates our selection for membership in Quality Divers and we believe it reflects our own long standing reputation for these same qualities.

In addition to the high safety and quality standards required of Quality Divers member dive centers, their diving customers may also benefit from the Quality Divers Privilege Card by availing of special offers from network dive centers to make diving holidays even more attractive!

The Quality Divers Privilege Card is totally free and it is accepted by all Quality Divers members, regardless of the issuing dive center. It's a great way for divers to get out and explore the world with the comfort of guaranteed service excellence, maximum safety, and save some money too!

Visit the Quality Divers website for complete information on Quality Divers and our partners in diving excellence around the world.