Any seafood processing facility found purchasing or selling beche-de-mer can face a fine of up to twenty thousand dollars.

This after the Ministry of Fisheries officers raided a facility in Suva today and found undersized beche-de-mer along with some other species of fish that are banned from catching were kept there.

Fisheries officer, Meli Raicebe told FBC News the Ministry enforced a total ban on harvesting, purchasing and sale of sea cucumber in September this year.

“If an individual is found involved in any illegal sale or purchasing of beche-de-mer than we will actually extend the fine of ten thousand dollars. On the other hand if we identify that the company itself is still allowing people to come and sell their products so that fine extends to them so under the offshore fisheries management act and it’s supporting decree of 2014 – there’s a twenty thousand dollar fine to it.”

Meanwhile, Police says they will be assisting the Ministry in regards to this recent raid case.