President Whipps Meets with the Japanese Fisheries Survey Team to Discuss the Development of Palau’s Fishing Industry including the Ngatpang Port

On August 13, 2024, Ambassador ORIKASA Hiroyuki and the Japanese Fisheries Survey Team met with President Surangel Whipps Jr.

The Fisheries Survey team, visiting Palau from August 13 to 20, discussed with President Whipps, the development of Palau’s fisheries industry, including the Ngatpang Port.

This visit is a direct follow-up to the discussions held between President Whipps and Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio during their summit in Tokyo on July 17, 2024. The preparatory survey conducted by the team is expected to contribute to a more comprehensive study planned by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Japanese fishing vessels have been operating in Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). However, maintaining profitability remains a challenge for both Palauan and Japanese vessels as only 20% of the area is currently accessible. Japan supports the Government of Palaua's initiative to amend the PNMS Act, aiming to expand the operable EEZ area to 50%, which is considered essential to maintain sustainable fishing operations that will also contribute to monitoring and management of Palau’s resources within the vast EEZ. The early enactment of this amendment is awaited with great interest.

Japan believes that the revision of the PNMS Act will promote a fisheries environment that benefits both countries. In line with this, Japan is committed to cooperating in the development of Palau’s fisheries industry, including the Ngatpang Port.

During their visit, the survey team will also visit the Bureau of Fisheries and the Ngatpang State Government to conduct interviews and surveys on the medium- to long-term future vision in terms of production and distribution, as well as the potential for eco-tourism development. In addition, the team will survey fisheries-related activities at the Ngatpang Fishing Port, the Belau Offshore Fishing Industry Association (BOFI), the Palau Commercial Fishing Company (PFC), and other related organizations to observe and analyze the current state of the industry.