STATEMENT BY PS SHAHEEN ALI ON THE APPROVED BUYERS AND EXPORTERS OF HOLOTHURIAN (BECHE-DE-MER) OR SEA CUCUMBERS

Due to an overwhelming demand from licensed sea cucumber fishers, and in line with the principles of fair trade, the Fijian Government has approved an additional two (2) companies to buy and export sea cucumbers during this four (4) months opening period.

Subsequent to the Government’s announcement of the nine (9) approved companies or buyers and exporters on the 7 July 2022, the following two (2) companies’ applications were re-examined and their application to buy and export holothurians or sea cucumber has been approved. These companies are:
1. Soluk Island Fresh Company Limited
2. Huayi Bros Company Limited

To maintain a balance in terms  of economic growth, community livelihood and resource sustainability, it is crucial that conditions for trade are adhered to by traders. The same conditions for trade as earlier announced will apply to the two (2) companies, which are as follows:

Buying and exporting period: trade will be permitted from the date the companies receive this notification and ending on 31st October;

Permissible species: to ensure sustainability during this 4 months operation, a permissible list of species has been made available to the 2 companies. It is important to note that two species of holothurian will still be banned for trade during this period – they are White teat fish and black teat fishes as they are listed under CITES;

All species bought must be from legal and licensed resource owners and from landing sites approved by the Ministry of Fisheries; 

Data reporting: mandatory reporting to accurately capture data and information on the value of this fishery during this period is critical and must be submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries  on a weekly basis;

Photo Identification for buyers: All entities must submit to the Ministry of Fisheries a list of all buyers and agents they will engage with their photo identification for dissemination to communities. This will ensure fraudulent activities by impostors are avoided; and

Statutory Declaration: This must be signed and delivered to the Ministry of Fisheries or sent to the above email address immediately after the notification of awardee is issued;

Information Sharing: the entity (s) must cooperate with the Ministry of Fisheries for any further information required.
 
Penalties: schedules of fees and penalties outlined in the relevant Fisheries legislation shall apply to  exports and if anyone is found to be in contravention of the above conditions.
 
I reiterate my earlier call for companies to cooperate with the Ministry of Fisheries and enforcement agencies who will be jointly coordinating this whole of government approach.

In conclusion, all approved harvesters, buyers and traders are urged to strictly comply with the conditions of approvals as penalties shall be activated for exports. Anyone found to be in contravention with the above conditions will result in the revocation of their licence to operate.