Poachers threatens rangers after illegal Sea Cucumber harvest

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources condemned actions by poachers over the illegal harvesting of Marine Resources on the Marine Protected Island, Arnavon, Isabel province.

Acting Director, Ben Buga substantiated, poachers intruded, threatened the Rangers on the islands and mercilessly harvested Marine Resources, particularly Sea- Cucumber.

Mr Buga added, the thieves had been identified with the help of Police to be from Wagina, Choiseul Province.

“We have identified the people involved with the help of police,” he said.

“It seems that they are linking the activity to the lifting of the Bech-de-mer, because now the ban is lifted and will end on April.”

He further clarified, lifting of the Bech-de-mer Ban has nothing to do with the Marine Protected Island, Arnavon, and is only applied to other areas that are not protected.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources confirmed, if found guilty, the thieves would face justice for their actions.

Early last year , Four men also from Wagina island in Choiseul province have been ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 each for poaching inside protected area in the Arnavon Islands.

The men were apprehended by Arnavon Community Marine Park rangers on the 14th of February 2018 for stealing Sea Cucumbers inside sector four of the protected area.

By: Zeri Leni.