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A coral reef in the Palau archipelago where sunscreen that is toxic to corals is now prohibited. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 Erin Magee / DFAT

The Palau archipelago, located in the western Pacific, has decided to ban toxic sunscreens. A measure that comes into force this Wednesday, January 1 and which aims to protect its coral reefs and one of the most important marine sanctuaries in the world.

After Hawaii in May 2018, it is the turn of the Republic of Palau to banish sunscreens that destroy its coral reefs. This archipelago of more than 500 islands located in Micronesia in the western Pacific has therefore decided to protect its environment against the toxic effects of certain components present in sunscreens.

$ 1,000 fine

The measure therefore takes effect this Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Any sunscreen containing these chemicals will be banned from import and sale, under penalty of confiscation and a fine of $ 1,000.

A message addressed in particular to the tourists, always more numerous in the archipelago. The authorities hope for real awareness and that their example will be followed internationally.

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In the meantime, Palau has also decided to widen the protection zone of its marine sanctuary, by closing 80% of its exclusive economic zone to any maritime or fishing activity, including mining, and this after years of intensive commercial fishing which have drastically reduced certain fish stocks, especially bluefin tuna .