Carreon’s lawyer David Shipper, filed an emergency motion to stay deportation and permit re-entry.The emergency motion filed by Shipper said “class representative Ms. Carreon undertakes a fiduciary duty to represent adequately and forcefully the interests of the thousands of individual seeking relief from injustice. It is a solemn obligation that Ms. Carreon is determined to see to the end, even in the face of intimidation and fear of retribution.”

via Palau court affirms stay order on Pinay journalist’s deportation – Pinoy Abroad – GMA News Online – Latest Philippine News.

The analysis from the Pacific island nation of Palau shows that sharks — hunted worldwide for their fins, a Chinese delicacy — are worth many times more to some local economies alive than dead.”Sharks can literally be a ‘million-dollar’ species and a significant economic driver,” said lead author Mark Meekan, a scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

via ‘Million-dollar sharks’ a boon to eco-tourism: report – Yahoo! News.

After a successful victory driving the whalers out of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has turned its sights from defending whales to protecting sharks. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed earlier this month between the direct action marine wildlife conservation organization and the Republic of Palau.

Sea Shepherd Partners with the Republic of Palau to Control Poaching – Sea Shepherd.

David Shipper, who represented Filipino journalist, Bernadette Carreon, who was the plaintiff in the case, says he’s happy with the court’s ruling which has set a precedent.

But he says a quick payout will be hard given the tough economic climate and a likely appeal by the government.

“The next step is that I’m trying to get the records of who registered and how much money was paid so I can make a motion to the court to try to get the goverment to pay those people back. Now the president and government have stated their intention to appeal the equal protection portion of the ruling.”

via Lawyer in Palau refund drive over unconstitutional levy.

via Palau court: Alien registration scheme unconstitutional | palau-pacific-news.

In 2010, Palau withdrew support for Japanese whaling, called for an end to shark finning and became the third country worldwide to ban the bottom-trawling fishing method of dragging nets across the sea floor.

That commitment to marine health put the Pacific Island nation on the 2010 Ethical Traveler’s list of 10 best destinations in the developing world.

via 10 trips for every type of traveler | CNNGo.com.

Lawyer for Carreon , David Shipper sent out public announcement yesterday informing foreigners that they can voluntary register but should not pay the $25 based on the court order.

In the hearing on Tuesday, Shipper argued that a temporary halt is necessary because those that will nor register will be subjected to a fine $5 a day and jail time.

The order stated that under these grounds plaintiff presented “ sufficient showing of irreparable harm if the preliminary injunction is not granted.”

It also noted that the harm it will cause to the plaintiff if the preliminary injunction is not granted outweighs the injury it will cause the government.

via Court temporarily stops Immigration from collecting fee from foreigners | plocal-news.

A new study in the Journal of Archaeological Science shows there are exceptions to the conventional eco-wisdom that increased human activity always spells harm for animals: Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that the size of one mollusk, that’s been a food source for Pacific Islanders for thousands of years, has increased in size in conjunction with human population growth.

After examining more than 1,400 shells at an archaeological site in Palau, the scientists found that the humped conch (Strombus gibberulus) increased in average length about 1.5 millimeters over the past 3,000 years–which is a small amount in the big picture, but is a 5% increase in length for the 30mm long shellfish.

via Human Activity May Have Boosted Palau Shellfish Size : TreeHugger.