Effective today, sea cucumbers or beach-de-mer will no longer be exported from Fiji.

Ministry of Fisheries has instituted an indefinite export ban in an initiative to revive the much depleted stocks of sea cucumbers.

Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau says two grace periods first observed to allow businesses to sell off their remaining stock.

“There’s a heavy penalty but if they will be exporting it, it will be very difficult because they have to carry it in their suitcase because we normally have to give them a permit to export because they normally would take it in containers unless they are carrying it in their suitcase to Hong Kong, it will be very difficult for them to export.”

Persons involved in the harvesting for export of sea cucumbers from today could face fines up to ten thousand dollars and or three years imprisonment.

For businesses, the liability is twenty thousand dollars and or five years imprisonment if found in contravention of the prohibition effective from today.

It estimated that annually on average the export market of beach-de-mer is worth 20 to 30 million dollars.