KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

of Ngchelobel; the island of Ngeanges; the island of Ngermeaus; the island of
Ngchus; Ngeremdiu and the Ngeremdiu Todai Trail (German Lighthouse); the
islands of Ulong; the beach area of Ngeroblobang; and Bkulotuut. All portions of the
Rock Islands except the Tourist Activity Areas are for the exclusive use of Palauan
citizens and resident aliens (defined as any person who is not a Palauan citizen but
resides in Palau). Tourists may not enter, visit, stay or remain on any Rock Island or
portion thereof if it is not part of the Tourist Activity Area, and all citizens and resident
aliens are prohibited from accompanying or transporting any tourist into any non-
Tourist Activity Area. Tourist may use the waters of the State of Koror for diving,
snorkeling, fishing and other recreational uses. However, tourists using the waters of
Koror or visiting the designated tourist areas in the Rock Islands must purchase a
Rock Island use permit and must have it in their possession while in the Rock
Islands. The Rock Island use permit costs $15.00, is valid for seven (7) days, is
nontransferable and must be kept on the person of the tourist at all times. Tourists
must also acquire a fishing permit, as required by law. It is unlawful for any boat
operator to transport tourists using the waters of Koror for recreational purposes who
are not in possession of a Rock Island use permit, however tourists, while in direct,
non-stop transit through the waters of Koror State to a destination outside Koror
State boundaries and who do not engage in the referenced activities are exempt. It
is also unlawful for any boat operator to transport tourists without a Rock Island use
permit to the designated tourist areas in the Rock Islands. Tour operators may be
authorized by the Governor to sell permits to their customers after submitted a
detailed application to the Governor for such right and privilege. Tour operators must
maintain a detailed accounting with respect to permits sold, including the tourist’s
name and address, the serial number of the permit, the date of issuance and Koror
State receipt number. Tour operators shall submit their accounts to the Koror State
Finance Office within fifteen days after the end of each quarter, by April 15, July 15,
October 15, and January 15. Tour operators are required to inform tourists of the
restrictions of this act and must post a notice as specifically set forth in the act. Any
attempt by a tour operator to prohibit, refuse or cause delay in allowing the Koror
State Finance Office to audit the operator’s records shall be a violation under the
law; the right and privilege to sell permits may be revoked. The Paramount Chief
Ibedul or his designee in the Koror State House of Traditional Leaders may exempt
official guests from the requirements of this act in writing, upon application. Upon
conviction, violators shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and pay a fine in the amount of
$50.00 for the first offense. For the second offense, violators shall pay a fine of
$75.00 and may be imprisoned for not more than three (3) days, and for a third or
subsequent offense, violators shall pay a fine of $100.00 and shall be imprisoned for
not less than three (3) days and not more than ninety (90) days. The law also lists
the purposes of the permit fees, and states that not less than fifty percent (50%) of
the fees will be applied to the costs of various items, including (among other things)
maintenance and protection of dive sites, acquisition and installation of mooring
buoys, monitoring purposes and other expenses associated with the protection and
preservation of the Rock Islands. The law automatically terminates upon the passage
of a Comprehensive Management Act for the Rock Islands.
NGEDERRAK REEF MPA
• Koror State Public Law No. K6-119-2001 This Koror State Public Law, effective as
of approximately January 10, 2001, enacts a moratorium upon fishing and taking of
any marine flora or fauna on or in the reef area commonly known as “Ngederrak” and
prohibits motorized watercraft from traveling over the referenced reef area for a
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