Tonga is to ban the harvesting, processing and exporting of sea cucumbers for the next five years, starting next month.
The government has decided to suspend the harvesting of the resource seen as a food delicacy in parts of Asia so stocks can recover following overfishing.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sangster Saulala, says the Government will also conduct a scientific survey to review the health of the sea cucumber fishery in Tonga during the next five years.
The survey will be conducted with assistance from an independent expert from the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Dried Beche-de-mer at a market Photo: RNZI