Last month I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, on an expedition to Palau Marine Sanctuary. I was guiding an underwater photography group with my expedition company, Dive and More, and needless to say, we were not disappointed with our destination of choice!
Palau is a leading nation in marine conservation, and has one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world. With 80% of its waters fully protected from fishing and other destructive activities, the marine sanctuary is kept in pristine condition, supporting the economy primarily through tourism, diving and snorkelling. The remaining 20% of the sanctuary is a domestic fishing zone, which allows traditional small-scale fishing for local consumption and limited export. I had done a lot of research on Palau before our trip, and was excited to see the effects of such a large protected area through my own mask.
