パラオの海洋保護区（EEZの20％だけ国内漁業を許可し、80％は商業漁業禁止）が、海洋保護という美名の下の資金メカニズムである事がさらに明確になってきた。
パラオ議会（ Olbiil Era Kelulau）はこの海洋保護区の資金メカニズムである環境税(Environmental Impact Fee (EIF) )をPalau Visitor’s Fee (PVF)に変更するように要請。大統領はPalau Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (PPEF)を提案。
この４月１日からの施行施行は困難で来年４月１日からに延期された。
名称がどう変わろうとも観光客から集金されるのは100ドルで、その用途は下記の通り。
$10 水産資源保護信託金（Fisheries Protection Trust Fund）
$12.50 16ある各州に振り分けられる
$25 空港管理費（National Treasury for purposes related to the security, operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Palau International Airport）
$30 グリーンフィー（green fee）
$22.50 国庫 (National Treasury)
では収入源の観光客の数は？
パラオ観光局の統計によれば中国人観光客のおかげで年間10万を猶に超えている。即ち収入は15億円前後。米国からの打ち切られる可能性のある資金援助が年間その位である。観光客という水物商売の収入を国家財政の基盤にする危険性はないのだろうか？
年間15億円ー 日本パラオ友好協定を制定し、日本政府が技術支援と共に支援する可能性はないのだろうか？そうしないとシーシェパードを始め世界のあらゆる越境犯罪組織や国家地域がパラオに入り込む結果となる。
(ISLAND TIMES) - OEK Gives Nod To Remengesau’s EIF Delay
byAdmin March 28, 2017 Top Stories
The collection of Environmental Impact Fee (EIF) now to be known as Palau Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (PPEF) will be delayed for a year after the Olbiil Era Kelulau passed the measure yesterday.
Congress gave its nod to President Remenegsau version of the bill after it passed last week a version that calls for the repeal of the EIF and instead replacing it with a new fee to be imposed to visiting tourists in Palau as Palau Visitor’s Fee (PVF).
Remengesau did not agree to the repeal but renamed the fee as PPEF which he said “ like its predecessor the EIF, represents the primary financing mechanism for the Palau National Marine Sanctuary (“PNMS”).
The president in his referral letter last week to the lawmakers urged Congress to reconsider their stance on the measure, reiterating that his signature policy- PNMS. “creates a sustainable lifeline for food security, economic security and cultural security, by safeguarding our precious marine environment. Yet, the ultimate success of this endeavor hinges on the collection of the increased fee for travelers.”
The fee will allocate $10 for the Fisheries Protection Trust Fund, $12.50 will be divided among the states, $25 to the National Treasury for purposes related to the security, operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Palau International Airport, $30 for the green fee and $22.50 will revert back to the National Treasury.
In the EIF, a portion of the fee was allocated for the Civil Pension Plan Fund, but in the PPEF civil pension fund source will be from all funds from local revenue or other sources that otherwise would have been appropriated for airport improvement.
Congress has raised concern that any fee to protect the environment or tourism should not go to the pension plan.
The OEK’s passage of Remengesau’s version of the bill has averted implementation of the $100 EIF by April 1 this year.
The president said a repeal of the EIF means the government has failed to honor its commitments to the people.
