The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development and Belize Fisheries Department has issued a release advising the general public that in accordance to the Fisheries Act, the sea cucumber fishing season is OFFICALLY CLOSED as of April 13, 2012. The fish quota for the fishing season 2012 has been filled; therefore, no person can remove from Belizean waters, buy, sell or have in their possession sea cucumber. Any person found to be in violation of the Fisheries Act shall be liable on summary conviction as stipulated in the Act. Furthermore, the Belize Fisheries Department takes this opportunity to remind the general public that any person(s) who engages in any fishing activity shall abide by the Fisheries Act. For more information contact the Fisheries Department at telephone number 224-4552 or 223-2623 or email [email protected]
It is a relatively new fisheries species that is being harvested in Belize. And today the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development announced the closing of the Sea Cucumber season. Now most people were not even aware that sea cucumbers were being harvested in Belize, so we decided to find out more about this unique marine species. Love TV's Rene Villanueva the Third spoke with Senior Fisheries Officer George Myvette to find out more about Sea Cucumber.
In a statement issued today, the Fisheries Department said that the Sea Cucumber season closes on Friday. Myvette elaborates.
As we noted before, the Sea Cucumber harvesting is relatively new to Belize. And even though it's only been a couple of years in existence as a quota crop, Myvette says the amount licensed for harvesting this year has already been met.
The closure of the Sea Cucumber season means that no person is allowed to buy, sell or have in their possession any of this marine species. If found in contravention of the law, which actually falls under the Fisheries Act, they shall be liable on summary conviction.
These suckers are fast and cunning! They don't bite a hook and are too smart for traps you just have to wrestle them down by hand and throw them into the boat.
On the serious side "The Asian market for sea cucumber is estimated to be US$60 million. The dried form account for 95% of the sea cucumber traded annually in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, and Japan.' They have eaten all theirs and now want to eat ours :-)
Funny - but I don't remember ever seeing a sea cucumber here. In the south pacific there were a lot. The guides like to write a message on one simply by using a finger to wipe off the slime. Some of my uptight friends considered it harassment.
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