Banning of all underwater breathing apparatus is only in fishing sector

The banning of all underwater breathing apparatus is only in the fishing sector.

This has been confirmed by Ministry of Fisheries Media Liaison Officer Kuini Waqasavou who says recreational and commercial divers are not included in this ban.

Waqasavou says that the reason for the ban is because of a major concern in the significant number of premature deaths arising from the overuse of underwater breathing apparatus in the harvesting of sea cucumbers.

Waqasavou says that all the Ministry is trying to do is restock Fiji’s marine resources as it is nearly depleted.

However she confirms that the ban will be reconsidered in the future if the law is being adhered to.

When asked by Fijivillage on what are some of the ways they will be monitoring this, Waqasavou says that they are still trying to work that out.

However she says that the Ministry will be strengthening their relationship between their monitoring and controlling surveillance unit and their fish wardens in order to monitor the ban on harvesting and exporting of beach-de-mer or sea cucumbers.

Meanwhile the Ministry has also banned the killing of turtles from this month to the end of May next year as it is now their breeding season.