About $20 million was paid out to harvesting communities and individuals after a ban on beche-de-mer export was lifted, says Minister for Fisheries Kalaveti Ravu.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr Ravu explained the initial ban on harvest and export of sea cucumbers had two parts: one which prohibited sale and the other was banning the use of underwater breathing apparatus.
“This ban was lifted in July 2022, with a process for harvesting in February 2023, and export in April on the same year,” he said.
“The intent of lifting of the ban was to support national economy recovery after the effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic and more so, individuals and communities for basic survival needs as most were made redundant from their job. The lifting of the ban to allow the harvest and export for this period serves its purpose with some $18 to $20 million direct benefit payout to the harvesting communities and individuals.”
Mr Ravu also said the ministry’s records showed that about 140,000 metric tonnes of beche-de-mer were exported during the opening in 2022 and 2023. He said this was valued at an estimated $11 million.
“To ensure the sustainability in stock, a defined criteria was put in place for the selection of traders. A total of 11 companies were engaged by the beche-de-mer licensing committee.
“The committee was chaired by the permanent secretary, with an additional three permanent secretaries as members. All these traders were issued with conditions to operate. The 11 companies engaged agents to buy sea cucumbers from harvesters. A monitoring plan was in place for our team to ensure compliance with the licensing trading conditions. The ministry also undertook a beche-de-mer assessment in the Western Division with SPC experts and surveyed some of the qoliqoli. Based on the assessment, the Coalition Government reopened the ban for six months in July 2023.”
Mr Ravu said the intent now is to create national economic recovery, community empowerment and to open space for iTaukei-owned business to trade in this lucrative commodity.