Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Vanuatu Fisheries Dept announces ban on sea-cucmber and clam shell harvesting

Posted at 07:42 on 12 November, 2007 UTC

Vanuatu’s Fisheries Department has announced a maximum five years ban on sea cucumber harvesting and a total ban on clam shell to allow stocks to build up.

The Daily Post reports the ban comes as the Department’s own figures show a dramatic decline in stocks.

The head of the Fisheries Department says they have to act urgently to save these resources.

Director and Fisheries biologist, Robert Jimmy, says that while the sea-cucmber ban is on, the department will work with communities to review the current management system for harvesting.

He says the scooper method might need to stopped, and instead they may allow harvesting by divers only.

A review of the ban will be made in three years.