‘Beche-de-mer ban still in place’

 THE National Fisheries Authority says the lifting of the ban on the harvest of beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) will be determined by its board next month.

Managing director John Kasu said the authority had developed a plan for beche-de-mer to be carried out before the ban is lifted.

“Therefore, NFA is appealing to island and coastal communities to refrain from engaging in any illegal activities for beche-de-mer as the consequences are severe,” Kasu said. He said the country’s beche-de-mer industry had been protected since the ban in 2009. 

He said the ban was done following an over-fishing in the 14 maritime provinces and was made to help stocks recover from the over-fished status to avoid its depletion.

He said the NFA conducted annual sea cucumber surveys in eight provinces to assess the stock level.

The research and surveys carried out showed that the average densities was slowly recovering.