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Training days on the identification of sea cucumbers in New Caledonia

The agents in charge of the control of fishing, trade, export (...) of marine organisms in New Caledonia have received training aimed at identifying sea cucumbers.

On Tuesday 20 and Friday 23 July, many New Caledonian actors received training on the identification of sea cucumbers in New Caledonia. Organized as part of the PROTEGE project at the request of local authorities, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has listed three species of sea cucumbers which is due to be effective on August 28th, 2020. Sea cucumbers are subject to intensive fishing and poaching in the Indo-Pacific seas for their high commercial value and because they are easy to catch. Two species are present in New Caledonia.

This training was intended for customs control officers, the Veterinary, Food and Phytosanitary Inspection Service (SIVAP) and marine resource managers in the North and South Province.

The aim was to help control officers recognize sea cucumbers, also known as spades, when they are processed, in the field and at the borders. These species are not consumed locally but are destined for export to Asian markets.

Within the framework of the PROTEGE project, several actions are co-financed with the territory's fisheries services in order to aim for a better knowledge of the stocks exploited, to improve the means of control and management and to develop economies based on the breeding of these invertebrates in sea ranching.  In addition to being trained in the identification of the main species traded, the control officers were given information on the biology and ecology of the animal, its nomenclature and the applicable regulations.

Further trainings can be organized in September 2021. To register, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]               

In order to continue the regional cooperation work initiated by the PROTEGE project, a film will soon be produced to disseminate this training in French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. An English version might follow.

More information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_3T02Zl760

 

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Les holothuries sous haute surveillance - LNC - 07.2021

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