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The Palau National Marine Sanctuary legislation does not violate any laws of the Republic including the Constitution stresses President Remengesau. This is in response to an opinion indicating potential harm and loss of fishing rights revenues as a result of the commercial fishing ban.
The main issue presented by Talobak Victorio Uherbelau in his Feb 6, 2015 opinion to the governments of Angaur and Kayangel, and also submitted to the OEK, refers to concerns regarding the loss of revenue for fishing rights fees upon the creation of the commercial ban.
On February 25, 2015, during administration’s weekly press conference, the President further added that during the 5-year transition period state governments would continue to receive their share of the fishing rights fees.
Additionally, the pending Marine Sanctuary legislation includes a funding mechanism that would replace the lost revenues once the ban is in place.