Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on harvesting of sea urchins

SA IN T LU C IA G A ZE TT E, 21 O C TO B ER , 20 02 13 90 NOTICE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES THE Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries wishes to inform the public that it will beauthorizing a five day islandwide harvesting of white sea urchins (sea eggs) from Wednesday 23 October to Sunday 27 October 2002 (both days inclusive). To ensure that the sea egg population is not over harvested, and that juveniles (young sea eggs) remain for the benefit of future harvests, all harvesters are required to adhere to the following conditions: 1. Persons must harvest only sea urchins that are at least 3.5 inches (9.0 cm) in diameter (measured at the widest length across the body of the animal); 2. No one is to harvest in any Marine Reserve such as the Maria Island Nature Reserve and the reserves within SMMA and CAMMA; 3. No Scuba gear is to be used for harvesting of sea urchins; 4. All sea urchins must be brought to shore for breaking and processing (no activities are to be carried out at sea); 5. All persons who operate as “cleaners” must bury urchin shells on a daily basis, placing them above the high tide mark and covering them with at least six inches of sand; 6. All harvesters and cleaners must make available to the Department of Fisheries any data on sizes and weights, as requested; 7. No exportation of sea urchin is permitted without first obtaining the required export permit from the Department of Fisheries. Only export for personal consumption will be entertained (i.e., quantities of less than 10 Lbs). Persons failing to adhere to the above conditions will be liable to a fine of up to five thousand dollars ($5000.00), as stipulated by the Fisheries Regulations No. 9 of 1994 Section 36(a). The Department of Fisheries will be conducting monitoring activities islandwide to obtain an estimation of the landings during this open period and will be working along with the Police Department to ensure that all persons abide by the harvest conditions slated above. All harvesting activities must cease after this stated period. No persons are allowed to have in their possession or expose for sale any sea urchins after the closure of the official harvest period. Harvesters and the general public are hereby urged to observe and comply with the aforementioned conditions. CALIXTE GEORGE, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. SAINT LUCIA PRINTED BY THE NATIONAL PRINTING CORPORATION CASTRIES 2002 [ Price : $3.00 ]