Two of the Export facilities, Kiwali is one of the oldest exporters in the industry, at one time the largest player in the country (NBC News: Priscilla Waikaidi)
The National Fisheries Authority [NFA] has confirmed that 14 companies have been approved to take part in this year’s beche-de-mer export season in Milne Bay Province.
The NFA announced that the export license process has now been completed, and the list of successful applicants was released last week.
Among the approved exporters are well-known operators Kiwale Exports, ASL Seafoods Ltd, and Bay Seafoods Ltd. New players entering the industry this year include KC Investment Ltd, KG Resources Ltd, and Golden Haven Ltd.
Each company is required to pay a license fee of K8,800. Exporters must also pay a K50,000 bond fee, while buyers with storage facilities are required to pay K25,000. The NFA said bond fees will be refunded at the end of the season, provided there are no compliance issues.
Deputy Managing Director Leban Gisawa reminded fishermen and exporters that processing sea cucumbers takes time before they are ready for sale.
“It takes a fisherman around two weeks to process one animal before it’s ready to sell,” Mr Gisawa said.
As the first week of the open season comes to an end, NFA expects buying and trading activities to gradually increase across the province.
“It would not be right if any buying had happened immediately after open season a week ago. It will mean the products were harvested before the season officially opened and would be deemed illegal products,” he said.
He reminded the sellers that there will be compliance officers stationed in each producing province during the duration of the season and they will not hesitate to penalize anyone who breaches this fishery law.
“Remember this season is open to all sea cucumber species except the limits set on the five species associated with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora. For these five, this season will close once each of the total allowable catch limits has been reached.” He said.
Milne Bay’s general total allowable catch for all other species is at 215 tons while those species under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora [C.I.T.E.S], each have separate TACs including White Teat fish at 36.89 tons, Black Teat fish at 4.8 tons, Prickly Fish at 8.12 tons while the Candy Cane species is completely off limits to harvesting this season.
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