Tonga has reversed its decision to close the fishing of sea cucumbers for three years and re-opened in June with 10 licenses issued bringing the government some short term cash in licensing fees, but against the best advice of Tonga fisheries experts who warn that closure is the best option for managing the sea cucumber stock sustainably.

The Ministry of Fisheries in May announced its decision to close the sea cucumber fishery for three years, starting this year to allow the stock to recover and ensure the future sustainability of the resource.

But Viliami Manu, the Acting Director of the Ministry of Agriculture Food, Forests and Fisheries, said they had now re-opened the fishing of sea cucumber, after receiving pressure from some members of parliament, including the Ha'apai People's Representative, to re-open it.

He said the justification that came with the pressure was that the current financial constraint people faced now was more important. 

"Obviously, now with its continuance it would take longer for the sea cucumber stock to re-stock," he said.

Tonga’s sea cucumber harvesting season normally runs from April 1 to September 30 and this year's season will run until it normally closes in September, but with an extra month for export, he said.

License

In the meantime, the Licensing unit at the Fisheries had issued 10 licenses, including five for Tongatapu, two for Vava'u and three for Ha'apai at a cost of just over $29,000 pa'anga per licence, said a licensing officer.

He expected more licenses would be issued as some had already applied but have not completed their applications and a limited quota would be issued, he said.

Demand too strong

Dr Sione Vailala Matoto, the Director of the Ministry had told Matangi Tonga in May, that the main reason to close was sustainability because if fishing continued the resources would not be sustainable.

He said the demand was too strong and high to be sustained by the resource. This was exactly the same thing that happened in other neighboring countries such as Solomons, PNG and Samoa, and closing off the sea cucumber fishery was the best option for the long term benefit, he said.