12 March 2012: Pew Environment Group (PEW) has lauded the efforts of Guam on the one year anniversary of its Public Law 31-10, which protects sharks by prohibiting the possession, sale and trade of shark fins, rays and ray parts.
The legislation, which was signed in March 2011, made Guam the third country to fully ban shark fin trade. PEW assisted in drafting similar sanctuary agreements in Micronesia. Matt Rand, Director of Global Shark Conservation, PEW, noted the spread of shark protection to other parts of the Pacific. He commended the efforts of Micronesian leaders in fulfilling their commitment to protect sharks in their waters. [PEW Press Release]