BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
THE covid-19 pandemic has forced people of Malaita Outer Islands to continue engaging in illegal harvesting of beche-de-mer to generate income to support their families.
According to Eddie Honwala, director for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, most of the illegally harvested beche-de-mer confiscated between 2020 and 2021, came from Malaita Outer Islands.
“Most of the individuals involved in the illegally harvesting of beche-de-mer are from Malaita outer Islands. With two foreigners residing in Auki. Of the two foreigners one has paid his fine and one case is still processing
“Between 2020 and 2021, more than 50kg of different species of beche-de-mer were confiscated from both individuals and companies,” Honiara said.
