Solomon Islands is unhappy with the recent listing of three high value beche de mer, or sea cucumber species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species or CITES.
The decision made last week in Geneva at a United Nations meeting, means countries have to conduct strict monitoring and evaluation of the beche de mer species before they can be traded.
The deputy director of inshore fisheries in Solomon Islands, Rosalie Masu, says after tuna, beche de mer is the second biggest fishery in the country.
But unlike tuna, the revenue from beche de mer goes directly to rural and remote communities.
Ms Masu told Koroi Hawkins the new listing could severely affect this crucial income.
Beche-de-mer Photo: Flickr/ John Turnbull
