Fisheries authorities in Fiji say they are seeking to impose a seasonal ban on beche-de-mer exports by the end of the month because the resource is on the verge of being wiped out.
Beche-de-mer or sea cucumber is considered a delicacy in China and top varieties can sell for more than $US2000 dollars a kilo.
Fiji's new minister of Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau told Koroi Hawkins he has already banned the use of scuba-diving gear for harvesting beche-de-mer but it has done little to slow exports.
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