The Fisheries Ministry is trying it’s best to help villagers better understand the reasons behind the ban of beach-der-mer and other banned fish species.

This comes after some villagers were still found to be supplying beach-der-mer to local seafood processing companies for export despite numerous reminders.

Fisheries Officer, Meli Raicebe says many villages depend on beach-der-mer for their daily source of income and they’re working with these communities to seek other options.

Raicebe says even though there’s been a decline in this illegal activity – there are some who choose to ignore the ban in place.

“So they are the ones we need to convince in terms to why we are pushing this ban through. It’s hard for them to except it because it’s a source of income but on the flip side of it we have reiterated that the stock will not recover unless there is a total closure on the beach-der-mer. Until and unless our communities understand this.”

Meanwhile, the ministry is warning Fijians to take these bans seriously as they’re now closely monitoring fish markets and selling spots.