The status of sea cucumber harvesting in Tonga remains uncertain as the survey results are still pending. Dr. Sione Matoto, CEO of the Fisheries Department, said during an interview with Radio Tonga, “We are finalising the results of the survey on sea cucumber stocks in Tonga. Currently, the ban on harvesting remains in place.”
The ban, imposed in 2022, was meant to allow the sea cucumber population to recover due to a significant decline. The survey, completed in June, is being prepared for submission to Parliament, which will decide the next steps.
“The collection of data was completed last month,” Dr. Matoto continued. “We urge fishermen to comply with the current ban. The survey results will guide future decisions on harvesting.”
The ban, which covers the peak harvesting season from July to September, impacts many families reliant on this industry. The results are expected to be released at a later date.
