Last month the tiny island state of Palau launched a Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign aiming to create the world's first nation-wide marine sanctuary

The plan will close an area approximately the size of France to commercial fishing and create one of the largest regenerative zones on the planet for sharks, whales, tuna, and countless other species. If successful, the campaign will enable to equipp research and surveillance boats with the latest technology and implement the use of drones and other unmanned devices to monitor Palau's waters for illegal fishing activies.

'Palau has already demonstrated that a small spark can ignite massive global action. With the help of the latest technology, we’re going to engage people globally who care about the oceans and want to contribute towards meaningful action now,' said Palau’s Ambassador for Oceans & Seas Stuart Beck.

The island nation has been a pioneer of marine protection ever since it created the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009 inspiring 10 other countries to follow its lead and creating a total of 4.9 million square miles of sanctuary for sharks. The #StandWithPalau campaign could set another example for larger nations.

So far the campaign has raised $45,770 of the overall goal of $100,000. #StandWithPalau and donate now at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/stand-with-palau