NFA may return forfeited sea products

THE National Fisheries Authority is encouraging locals in maritime provinces who want to reclaim marine resources forfeited to the State to submit their request in writing.
Gisa Komangin, the authority’s monitoring control and surveillance manager, said locals should write to the authority before both parties could discuss the request.
Locals in Milne Bay recently made verbal requests to the authority to return the beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) confiscated from illegal Vietnamese fishermen.
The foreigners were apprehended by locals and authorities near Ware Island two weeks ago.
The boat and the beche-der-mer were forfeited to the State after the fishermen were convicted by the Alotau district court last Friday.
Komangin said an agreement could be reached with the locals as they were the custodians of the marine resources. He said the forfeited beche-de-mer was sold by the authority to exporters.
The proceeds were used to sustain their operations.
He said the boats and fishing gear would be destroyed.