GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has extended the harvesting period for sea cucumber (bech-de-mer) for the month of April.
Minister of Fisheries and Marines Resources John Maneniaru announced this early this week.
In a statement, the Ministry informed the general public, resources owners, licensed exporters of beche-der-mer, and sea cucumber fishers throughout the country that the current harvesting period for the sea cucumber fishery has been extended by Minister of Fisheries under the fisheries regulation.
The statement added harvesting of sea cucumber has now been extended to April and shall/will be closed on the 1st of May 2015.
“Harvesting for sea cucumber can be made only through hand picking, free diving and wading and during day light hours.
“Any other methods of harvesting are hereby prohibited under the Solomon Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management and Development Plan,” the statement said.
The Ministry had adviced all local communities in the country to harvest sea cucumber stock responsibly.
“Take note that size limit restriction is enforced for all species at the export gate. Under size products will be confiscated and exporters penalised.
“And all current export license holders should take note that application for extension of export license for beche-der-mer products can be secured from the Ministry of Fisheries.
“Take further note that Processing License application must be made to respective Provincial Executive, with processing to be permitted only within respective Provinces,” the Ministry’s statement explained.
By DENVER NEWTER
