Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan Long history of commercial collection (late 1880’s) Throughout the nation Based on demand from international merchants Almost no management measures in place (some traditional practices – taboo reefs) Harvesting and processing taught by merchants.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan History Boom and Bust cycle for species. Over harvesting in one area and move to another location. Increased exploitation as technology increased – wide use of SCUBA in 80s-90s Remote reef location targeted as stock declined. Political interference $$$ Lead to significant decrease in commercial sea cucumbers throughout the nation.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The fisheries 30 plus species commercially harvested. Free diving, reef gleaning, SCUBA (previously). Collected and process by fishers, sold to merchants (most Chinese) and exported. Over exploitation lead to management of sea cucumber in 2000.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The fishery: Nation wide stock assessment commission in early 2000 found; Exploitation of commercial sea cucumbers (stock populations low, size small) Recommendation a management plan to be developed – and immediate ban. Political and community intervention (livelihood concerns – ban not activated) Further stock decline.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The fishery: Mid 2000’s – crisis situation and political/community will to manage sea cucumbers. Marine Resource Division tasked to Manage the fishery. Aim To ensure the bêche-de-mer fishery is sustainable and that bêche-de-mer harvesting has minimal impact on the marine and coastal environment. b) To ensure the bêche-de-mer fishery benefits coastal communities of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: First step A moratorium for 5 years was placed on the fisheries banning all export. Significant community/public awareness. Second step Commission of nation wide resource assessment to provide empirical data on stock populations (took 2 years). Data confirmed significant population declines in all commercial species. Some alarming (white teat fish)

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: Third step Management plan developed long term management of fishery Review and amendment of Regulations of sea cucumber fishery ISSUE Due to extended period (after 3 years) community pressure forced ban to be lifted and a one year open seasons was allowed. Significant harvest of sea cucumber occurred (further decline in stocks - $$$ made by all.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: After ban lifted A moratorium for another 5 years was placed on the fisheries banning all export. Significant community/public awareness. Issue: Community pressure forced ban to be lifted and another one year open seasons was allowed. Significant harvest of sea cucumber occurred (further decline in stocks - $$$ made by all. Opening the season prevented the ban to be effective in repopulating reefs.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: Key criteria. Based on precautionary principals and resource data (such diverse and large reef systems – difficult to assess). Includes periods of closed and open seasons, Total Bans on some species (over exploited) Size restriction on certain species (based on data). Ban on collection in specific areas islands – (based on scientific data and/or community MPA requirements). Only Solomon Island nationals are allow to collect. Need Community permission. Total ban on use of SCUBA/Hooker. Total ban on use of underwater or surface lights for collection (specific law for H. scabra). Ban on bottom trawling and sea cucumber “bombs”

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: Key criteria. Only licensed exporters to trade domestically and export sea cucumbers. All exporter will be licenced, limit to 5 export companies only, reviewed annually. All exporters to provide full disclosure of product (species, weight number). A range of penalties developed to discourage illegal activities, including at all levels of the industry. Marine Resources to undertake regular marine assessment on stock populations and up date management plan. Community/public Awareness Importance.

Solomon Islands Sea Cucumber Management Plan The Management Plan: Issues – Concerns Political Interference Lack of Political support Lack of compliance – enforcement Exporter & Community/Merchant interference. All Non Compliance to Regulations e.g Harvesting continues during bans – product stored to be sold when ban is lifted.