A combined raid by Ministry of Fisheries Compliance officers and Police on a warehouse at the Malaita Provincial capital Auki, has found more than 50 kilograms of dried beche-de-mer early this month.

In the margins of the World Ocean Summit in Bali today, the Solomon Islands Delegation, led by Hon. John Maneniaru, received the official announcement from Mr Karmemu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, of the Commission’s decision to lift the yellow card from Solomon Islands.

The Ministry of Fisheries this week signed documents with representatives from the Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF) for further funding support for the sea cucumber project.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources recently, dispatched a number of its officers to certain hot spots in the provinces following reports of illegal harvesting of bech-de-mar by certain individuals.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has categorically denied having any knowledge of an alleged harvesting of bech-de-mer on Luangiua as claimed by Dr Reginal Aipia in today’s Solomon Star.

Lily Wheatley, is a young graduate who joined the Ministry of Fisheries as its economist early this year. She graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Economics with Honours from Massey University in 2015.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is aware that illegal harvesting of beche-de-mer is taking place in some parts of the country and warns offenders they face prosecution if caught.