BECHE-DE-MER BAN LIFTED, STRICT HARVESTING MEASURES IN PLACE
An example of dried beche-de-mer. Photo credit: Solomon Times.
The ban on the harvest and sale of beche-de-mer or sea cucumber has been lifted for three months – and started on December 1 this year.
The ban was publicised via a public notice published in newspapers and aired on radio today.
According to the notice, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources say harvesting can only be done only through hand picking, free diving and wading and during daylight hours.
The Ministry also said communities are advised to harvest the sea cucumber stock responsibly, saying size restriction will be implemented for all the species.
The Ministry also said application for an export license for beche-der-mer products can be made to the Ministry for registered companies venturing into Fisheries or Marine products.
SIBC News understands the ban has been lifted on over 20 species of beche-der-mer found in the country.