The Arnavon Community Marine Park Management Committee, which looks after the Arnavon Community Marine Park, a protected area, recently held a workshop which was attended by representatives from various community, national and provincial governments, and environment charity group, The Nature Conservancy. The issue of sea cucumber (also known as beche de mer) harvesting within the protected area was raised at the workshop and the ACMP Management Committee called on the enforcement agencies and relevant government agencies to address the issue. (Source: Solomon Star, 23 May 2019)
The harvesting for export of sea cucumbers is a lucrative economic activity, especially for those who do not have significant land resources and therefore rely on the marine environment as their primary source of income. The Government has attempted to control over-harvesting by banning the harvesting of sea cucumbers except during certain periods. The establishment of protected marine areas has meant that certain marine areas where sea cucumbers are located are now off limits. Environment interest groups will prefer that those marine areas be left for the benefit of the marine animals and that people consider alternative modes of income generating activities, such as ecotourism and seeking donations for their environmental cause.
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