With the seasonal ban on Kawakawa and Donu coming to an end, the Fisheries Ministry has confiscated large numbers of the two species.

Minister Responsible, Semi Koroilavesau says the ban is a huge achievement for them as Fijians have come to understand its purpose and importance.

“So there had been a lot of cases and that is an ongoing matter within the legal framework and within the jurisdiction. So I think we’ve achieved what we aimed to do. I think if you look at the media and the social media – there’s a lot of discussions on sustainability. So that is a huge achievement for us.”

The Minister says with the seasonal ban now a law, people should be aware of the penalties.

“The fact that it’s a new legislation that has been put in place and it’s only four months, from June to September so that is the window of opportunity that we wanted to create.”

The Government banned catching, sale and export of all Kawakawa and Donu during their peak spawning months to help revive both of the rapidly declining species.