Solomon Islands is still at the research stage in its sea cucumber (beche-de-mer) farming.
Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources John Maneniaru said this in parliament.
The Minister made the revelation when answering a question about the progress of sea cucumber farming in the country by the MP for North West Choiseul Hon Cornelly Sandakabatu during question and answer time in Parliament.
“Mr Speaker in terms of beche-de-mer farming, we are still at the research stage. You will recall we had a breakthrough in 2013, producing juvenile beche-de-mer.
“The challenge now is to produce these marine creatures in very large quantities. This effort has so far resulted in our team producing 1500 baby beche-de-mer and these we have trialed in growing them out in their rightful places on the reefs.”
The Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources added that the research is ongoing under the leadership of a Japanese Government-funded expert, Dr Komatsu Toru.
He said it will still be years before Solomon Islands can farm hatchery-reared sea cucumbers in provinces.
– PM’s Press Secretariat
