The Pacific nation of Palau, famous for its spectacular dive sites, has created the world's first officially recognized shark sanctuary to protect hammerheads, leopards, whitetips and more than 130 other shark species fighting extinction.

"Our objective is to end all commercial shark fishing in our waters and provide a sanctuary for sharks to live and reproduce unmolested in our 237,000 square miles of ocean," said Johnson Toribiong, president of the island republic, in a recent statement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Between February and April, hundreds of grey reef sharks will migrate to Palau to mate, a favorite time for shark divers. Palau's 8th annual Shark Week, March 12-19, features a week of presentations and documentaries by leaders in underwater exploration, conservation and discovery. Events and hotel/dive packages can be found at www.fishnfins.com/n/Shark-Week.html.

NEW FEDERAL RULE RESTRICTS TARMAC DELAYS TO 3 HOURS

U.S. airlines must let passengers off planes stuck on airport tarmacs after three hours, according to a new federal rule prompted by consumer complaints. The rule, which takes effect in April, applies to domestic flights; airlines flying international routes would set separate limits.

Continental Airlines and two regional carriers were fined $175,000 last month for stranding passengers all night on a grounded plane in August, the first time carriers have been punished for extended tarmac delays.

There were 1,096 flights stuck on tarmacs for three hours or more in the year ended Sept. 30, according to government data (about 6.5 million flights were scheduled in that period).

LEONARDO DA VINCI’S ANATOMICAL DRAWINGS ON EXHIBIT IN FEBRUARY

As the world tunes in to the physical challenges for athletes at Vancouver's winter Olympic and Para-Olympic Games in February, some of the most important drawings of the human body ever created will be on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown.

All the drawings from Leonardo da Vinci's Anatomical Manuscript A will be exhibited, on loan from the United Kingdom's Royal Collection. The exhibition will be free during the 17 days of the Games as part of a partnership with the Province of British Columbia.

"Virtually every drawing is the finest depiction of a particular structure (of the body) to that date and, in some cases, for several centuries to come," writes exhibition curator Martin Clayton in an essay for the exhibition's catalogue.

"Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man" will be at the Vancouver Art Gallery Feb. 6 to May 2. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. vanartgallery.bc.ca

— Advertiser staff