Doctor accused of starting illegal beche-de-mer farm
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
POLICE on Thursday charged medical practioner Dr Reginald Aipia and his American business consultant over their alleged illegal beche-de-mer farming in the Ontong Java atolls, Malaita Outer Islands.
The pair appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday on two counts each of engaging in commercial aquaculture without a valid licence and prohibition of catches and retains of beche-der-mer.
They were each released on a cash bail of $5,000 with strict bail conditions.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea also ordered that the American, Erik W. Hagberg, surrendered his passport immediately to police.
The two accused were also ordered not to interfere with the crown and fisheries witnesses, report to Central Police Station once a week and not to leave Honiara without the leave of the court.
Aipia and Hagberg are due back in court on October 5, for the mention of their matter.
They are represented by Rano & Company law firm while Public Prosecutor Andrew Kelesi appeared on behalf of the Crown.
Prosecution alleged that in February and March 2017, Aipia approached the Ontong Java House of Chiefs and discussed with them a proposed idea to farm beche-der-mer.
It was alleged that Aipia during that time, informed the House of Chiefs he had obtained a licence from the Ministry of Fisheries to operate an Aqua culture farming of beche-der-mer.
According to the allegation, the whole House of Chiefs disagreed with the proposed plan because they knew that during those months the Government ban on the harvesting of beche-der-mer was still in force.
It was alleged that on the 29th of March 2017, the Luapel House of Chiefs On tong Java, which comprised of Luaniua and Pelau House of Chiefs, received information that the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources had granted farming licence to Aipia without Luapel House of Chiefs (HOC) concern.
“The Luapel House of Chiefs then wrote a letter to the Director of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Edward Honiwala as a concern and would like to meet and discuss the issue of the granting of Farming License Award to Apia.
“On the 25th of April 2017, the Director of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mr Honiwala replied in writing to the Luapel House of Chiefs and stated that the ministry has not issued any farming licence to Apia.”
In his letter to the Luapel House of Chiefs , Mr Honiwala stated that the Director of Fisheries is the only authorised person mandated to issue any Licence under the Fisheries Management Act 2015. And in this case the Director of Fisheries has not issued any licence to Aipia.
It was further alleged that in the Month of July 2017, despite the disagreement of the whole Luapel House of Chiefs, Aipia gathered some of his close relatives and began constructing the beche-der-mer farms.
Prosecution alleged the chairman of the Luapel House of Chiefs stated that Apia and his party began harvesting beche-der-mer on the 10th of July 2017 in the Lord Howe atolls.
On the 12th of July 20-17, the Luapel House of Chiefs and their MP made a letter to the Minister of Fisheries & Marine Resources.
The letter contains report of illegal harvesting and farming of beche-der-mer by Apia and Hagberg.
Apia is the founder and president of the Ontong Java Development Company while Hagberg works as a consultant for the Java Development Company which was owned by Apia
According to the allegation, Hagberg from the United States of America, worked with Apia in constructing the farms.
He started working during the initial stages of the construction of the farms up till completion and is said to be responsible for making the beche-der-mer reproduce.
Hagberg was also responsible for managing, advising and setting up the farms.
On Saturday the 9th of September 2017, a joint task force comprising of police and fisheries officers board the Royal Solomon Island Police Vessel Auki and left for Ontong Java.
On Sunday morning the 10th of September 2017, the officers arrived at Luaniua and made enquiries with the chiefs of Luania.
During the enquiries the team found that there are more than five farms of beche-der-mer.
The five farms are located on the islands of Kepae, Koromai, Keukua, Kelomo and Henuai.
