The President of Palau is urging Pacific leaders to pull up their sleeves and get to work to protect the region's oceans and precious fisheries.
Tommy Remengesau made the call during his speech at the opening of this week's Pacific Islands Leaders Forum, which was attended by at least 300 delegates.
Mr Remengesau urged leaders not to take fishery data at face value.
"I am a fisherman. Many of you are like me, we claim to be fishermen. It really doesn't take a fisherman to tell us that fish stocks are dwindling significantly and fish sizes are smaller."
Tommy Remengesau also asked leaders to focus on developing strong partnerships in the region to help ensure sustainable fisheries, in keeping with the Forum's ocean theme.
