5 Mar 2018

Samoa to set up shark sanctuary

7:10 am on 5 March 2018

Samoa is the latest Pacific nation to declare itself a shark sanctuary.

no caption

Photo: 123RF

The announcement was made last week by Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, during a ministerial shark symposium in Apia attended by environment and natural resources ministers in the Pacific region.

Tuila'epa said the importance of sharks is very clear.

"Sharks play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. The multi million dollar shark dive industry is just one example demonstrating that sharks are more valuable alive in our oceans rather than dead on foreign vessels," Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said.

Tokelau and Palau are among countries in the Pacific which have established shark sanctuaries.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs