NFA: No total limits to beche-de-mer catch

THERE is currently no total limit to the amount of beche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) that are caught according to the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).
Responding to questions from The National, NFA said that a total limit was only set after surveys were carried out.
“There is currently no TAC (Total Allocated Catch),” the NFA said
“The TAC is set annually after the completion of resource assessment surveys.
“We will have a better understanding of the stock (sea cucumbers) estimates at the completion of the assessment.”
National Fisheries Authority said there were penalties for people caught catching beche-de-mer over the required limit set during a fishing season however, did not state the exact penalties.
Sea cucumber is sold between K7 and K220 depending on the species and the quality, according to NFA.
“In 2018 beche-de-mer exports had an estimated value of around K100 million,” it said.
NFA said that there were monitoring systems in place for the beche-de-mer industry through a buyer’s daily purchasing record.
Approximately 169 export licenses were issued last year while 845 buyer’s licenses were also issued in the same year covering 13 maritime provinces, according to NFA.
Meanwhile, NFA has advised harvesters, buyers and the public that this year’s beche-de-mer fishery season was deferred until further notice.
This was because NFA was concerned about the current state of the industry in the maritime provinces.
“Early indications from ongoing resource assessment surveys indicate significant localised depletion of stocks in certain areas where surveys have been completed,” it said.
According to NFA, the early interpretation of the preliminary results could mean that the sea cucumber stocks are experiencing over fishing.
NFA stated in the public notice that they were putting in place measures to strengthen the management of beche-de-mer fishery and the current monitoring systems.