National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012

vav Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 ©Copyright Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) 2014 All rights for commercial / for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. MIMRA authorises the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that MIMRA and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for commercial / for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original text: English Secretariat of the Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 1. Sea cucumbers — Marshall Islands. 2. Trepang fisheries — Marshall Islands. 3. Holothurian populations — Marshall Islands. I. Title II. Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority III. Secretariat of the Pacific Community 593.96099683 AACR2 ISBN: 978-982-00-0738-3 Published by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, on behalf of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). Secretariat of the Pacific Community Coastal Fisheries Programme BP D5, 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia Tel: +687 26 20 00 Fax: +687 26 38 18 Email: spc@spc.int; http://www.spc.int/ Approval of management plan Pursuant to the powers and functions vested in the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority under Title 5 and section 207 of the Fishery Act, the Board, having given due regard to scientific, economic, cultural, environmental and other relevant considerations, has determined that the sea cucumber fishery: a. is important to the national interest; and b. requires management and development measures for effective conservation and optimum utilization. Therefore, the Board has authorized the sea cucumber fishery as a designated fishery and hereby approved the Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012. Dated this . ……………………………………. Hon. Michael Konelios Chairman, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Board Photo : Emmanuel Tardy Cover photo: MIMRA This management plan is based on work conducted by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) during 2011 and 2012, which included several internal workshop sessions (within MIMRA) and four public consultations with stakeholders. Throughout the development of the plan, technical assistance was provided by SPC’s Coastal Fisheries Programme. The plan was approved by the Board of MIMRA on 19 April 2012. Following the approval, regulations were developed and the ‘Republic of Marshall Islands Sea Cucumber Regulations of 2012’ were approved by Cabinet on 22 October 2012. CONTENTS 1. Preliminary information 1 1.1 Title 1 1.2 Application 1 1.3 Purpose and objectives 1 1.4 Interpretation 1 2. Sea cucumber fishery 3 2.1 Biology 3 2.2 Target species 3 2.3 Status of the fishery 4 3. Authorities, roles and responsibilitiesThet 5 3.1 Local government councils 5 3.2 Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) 5 4. Strategies 7 4.1 Principal ways to achieve the objectives 7 4.2 Consultative process 7 5. Management measures 9 5.1 Approaches for local councils and communities 9 5.2 Open or closed seasons 9 5.3 Licensing 10 5.4 Data collection 11 5.5 Gear prohibitions 11 5.6 Species prohibitions and restricted areas 11 5.7 Export prohibitions and requirements 11 5.8 Sea cucumber aquaculture requirements 12 5.9 Monitoring and enforcement 12 5.10 Review and amendments 13 Attachment 1: Minimum harvest and purchase/export sizes 14 Attachment 2: Sea cucumber export declaration form 15 Attachment 3: Republic of the Marshall Islands sea cucumbers – Live and processed forms and minimum size limits 16 Photo : Maria Sapatu 1Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Preliminary information1 1.1 Title The title of this plan is the Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012, hereafter referred to as ‘Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan’. This plan sets out the policy of the Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and does not have legal effect in its own right. 1.2 Application a. The Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan has been prepared in accordance with section 207, 51 MIRC, ch. 2. b. The Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan applies to all animals belonging to the class Holothuroidea, commonly known as sea cucumbers, and to the sea cucumber fishery, and includes all activities associated with the aquaculture, ranching, collection, processing, storage, buying, selling, and exporting of sea cucum ber products from Republic of the Marshall Islands fishery waters. c. Attachments to the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan form part of the plan and shall be read together with the plan. 1.3 Purpose and objectives The purpose of the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan is to provide ecologically sustainable de velopment and to establish an effective, conducive and enforceable management struc ture for the Republic of the Marshall Islands sea cucumber fishery. The objectives are to: a. ensure that the sea cucumber fishery is sustainable and the sea cucumber fishery has minimal impact on the marine and coastal environments; and b. maximize economic returns from the fishery, ensuring that the sea cucumber fishery benefits communities of Republic of the Marshall Islands. 1.4 Interpretation Unless otherwise specified, words and expressions used in the Plan shall have the same meanings as defined in the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Act 1997. Where there is inconsistency between the plan and the Marine Resources Act 1997, the Marine Resourc es Act shall prevail. • ‘Act’ means the Acts under Title 51 of the Marshall Islands Revised Code. • ‘Authority’ means the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority. 2 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 • ‘Authorized officer’ means any person or category of persons designated pursuant to the Act. • ‘Beche-de-mer’ means the processed boiled, smoked and dried sea cucumber product, also referred to as trepang. • ‘Board’ means the Board of the Marshall Island Marine Resources Authority. • ‘Designated fishery’ means any fishery designated in accordance with section 207 of 51 MIRC ch. 2. • ‘Director’ means the Director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority. • ‘Export license’ means a license to export sea cucumber products issued by the Authority. • ‘Permit’ means a permit issued under the Act or under the regulations. • ‘Sea cucumber’ means all animals belonging to the class Holothuroidea. 3Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Sea cucumber fishery2 2.1 Biology Most sea cucumbers have separate sexes. Some species, like the sandfish, are relatively fast growing and reach reproductive size within a year or so, but take about two years to reach an acceptable market size. Other species grow more slowly, with a lifespan of be tween 5 and 15 years. For reproduction to be successful, many eggs have to be fertilized, which means that large numbers of sea cucumbers have to be present in the same place. Fertilized eggs hatch (planktonic larval stages) and drift with ocean currents for two to several weeks before settling on the sea floor as juvenile sea cucumbers. Adults appear not to move very far from the areas in which they settle. Many species of sea cucumbers are commercially fished and exported, mainly to South east Asia, as the boiled, smoked and dried product known as beche-de-mer or trepang. Sea cucumbers do not have cultural or traditional food importance in Republic of the Marshall Islands; however, they have recently been of interest to several commercial ven tures for export to Asia. Assessments have been made in several of the atolls, including Majuro, and have found that there are 14 known species of sea cucumbers in Republic of the Marshall Islands, some of which are of high value. 2.2 Target species The table below lists the common trade, scientific, and local names for known sea cucumber species in Republic of the Marshall Islands. Trade name Scientific name Local name Amberfish Thelenota anax Jibenben Black teatfish Holothuria whitmaei Jibenben Brown sandfish Bohadschia vitiensis Jibenben (Potato) Curryfish Stichopus herrmanni Jibenben Elephant trunkfish Holothuria fuscopunctata Jibenben Greenfish Stichopus chloronotus Jibenben Leopardfish Bohadschia argus Jibenben Lollyfish # Holothuria atra Jibenben (Ramen) Pinkfish # Holothuria edulis Jibenben Prickly redfish Thelenota ananas Jibenben (Pineapple) Slender sea cucumber * Holothuria impatiens Jibenben Surf redfish Actinopyga mauritiana Jibenben Tigertail sea cucumber * Holothuria hilla Jibenben White teatfish Holothuria fuscogilva Jibenben Note: Asterisk (*) denotes non-target species for beche-de-mer and number sign (#) denotes target species for ornamental trade. 4 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 2.3 Status of the fishery The multi-species sea cucumber fishery is based on the exploitation of species belonging to the genera Actinopyga, Bohadschia, Holothuria, Stichopus and Thelenota. The official commercial harvesting of sea cucumber in RMI began in 2010 but anecdotal reports sug gest that commercial harvesting may have occurred around 2002–2005. Commercial sea cucumber harvesting was also reported to occur briefly in 1997. Harvesting is usually done by snorkel and hand picking (collecting or gleaning). Commer cial harvesting has occurred in Arno, Ebon, Likiep, Wotje, Ailinglaplap, Enewetak and Kili. The harvesting and processing of sea cucumber in RMI is generally unregulated; however, section 227(b), 51 MIRC ch. 2 provides for permits to be issued for the export of any fish or fish product from the fishery waters. In March 2011, a total of 9,220 pounds1 (4,190 kg) of dried, processed sea cucumber was exported, comprising 34% A. mauritiana, 30% S. chloronotus, 15% T. ananas and the remainder H. fuscogilva, B. argus, and T. anax. Exports of live sea cucumber for the ornamental trade have occurred over the past ten years; however, they are limited to two species, H. edulis and H. atra. Sea cucumbers extract bacteria and organic matter from bottom sediments. Some sea cucumbers are responsible for oxygenation of sediments on the sea floor. The impacts of intensive harvesting of sea cucumbers on benthic habitats are poorly understood. How ever, experience elsewhere (e.g. Papua New Guinea) suggests that the absence of sea cucumbers resulted in algal mats covering the sea floor and overgrowth of coral by algae. Furthermore, using local timber as fuel for boiling and smoking sea cucumbers is inad visable in atolls where local timber is in short supply. Sea cucumber processing can also result in the production of stickwater, which contains a toxin (holothurine) that originates from the boiling of some species of sea cucumber. The release of stickwater directly into the marine environment has resulted in fish kills in shallow coastal areas. Sea cucumbers are prone to overfishing if no management is in place to control harvesting. This is due to the sluggish nature of the animal, the fact that they primarily inhabit shallow areas and the high demand for beche-de-mer products. In February 2011, in response to concerns regarding the lack of management frameworks and through application of the precautionary approach, the Marshall Islands Marine Re sources Authority imposed a moratorium on the export of sea cucumber (beche-de-mer) from Republic of the Marshall Islands. The moratorium is in effect until a management plan is in place. To prevent the unsustainable harvesting of sea cucumber populations in Republic of the Marshall Islands, it is important that local governments take part in the implementation and enforcement of rules and procedures on sustainable harvesting. 1 As a rule of thumb, during sea cucumber processing, weight losses are 90%–95% depending on species. Using this rule of thumb, 9,220 pounds of dried sea cucumber equates to around 92,200–138,000 pounds wet weight. 5Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 3.1 Local government councils The roles of the local government councils in the management and development of sea cucumber fisheries within their area of governance will include, but not be limited to: a. preparation of local sea cucumber fisheries management plans, with the as sistance of the Authority; b. recommending to the Authority the declaration of designated local sea cu cumber fisheries; c. recommending to the Authority to promulgate sea cucumber regulations/ ordinances regarding fishing operations and the issuance of licenses and permits; d. developing and adopting ordinances for local sea cucumber fisheries manage ment; and e. issuing licenses and permits for local sea cucumber fishers. 3.2 Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) The Authority’s role in the development and management of the sea cucumber fishery of Republic of the Marshall Islands will include, but not be limited to: a. reviewing and providing recommendations in regard to sea cucumber export licensing and reporting; b. managing the fishery at ecologically sustainable levels in Republic of the Marshall Islands based on practices that will ensure the protection, conservation and effective management of the sea cucumber resources; c. providing recommendations to the Board and local government councils on harvestable sea cucumber quotas at the species level and/or open and closed harvest seasons; d. collating data on harvest and exports of sea cucumber; e. inspecting sea cucumbers destined for export; f. providing annual reports on the status of the sea cucumber fishery to the Board and stakeholders; g. establishing an ongoing program for monitoring and surveillance of compli ance with measures stipulated under the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan, regula tions and under the Act; 3 Authorities, roles and responsibilities 6 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 h. planning and conducting or overseeing sea cucumber resource assessments and reviewing scientific efforts to support the sustainable development and management of the sea cucumber fishery; i. assisting, and/or facilitating the development of local government and/or community sea cucumber resource management plans; and j. overseeing the revision of the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan. Photo : Emmanuel Tardy 7Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Strategies4 4.1 Principal ways to achieve the objectives Strategies to achieve the objectives of the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan include the following: a. promote and encourage the management of the sea cucumber fishery at the lo cal and community level; b. establish licensing arrangements to control and monitor exports, and to encour age fishing operations to be conducive to the sustainable use of the sea cucum ber resources; c. apply restrictions on particular fishing techniques or methods as required; d. apply restrictions on fishing for particular sea cucumber species; e. close specified areas within the fishery waters to allow sea cucumber populations to recover from the pressures of fishing; f. establish an ongoing program for monitoring catch data, export quantities and scientific information to support management of the sea cucumber fishery; and g. establish an effective monitoring and enforcement system to ensure compliance with the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan, licenses, conditions of licenses and regula tions. 4.2 Consultative process The Director shall organize consultations with key stakeholders (local government coun cils; Coastal Management Advisory Council [CMAC]; non-governmental organizations with an interest in the conservation, development and management of the sea cucumber fishery; sea cucumber processors, buyers, exporters, etc.) in the sea cucumber fishery at least once in each calendar year or as may be necessary. The scope of the consultations shall include matters relating to: a. the management and regulation of the sea cucumber fishery, including licens ing and conditions of licenses; b. local government councils’ sea cucumber fishery management initiatives; c. the development of fishing and processing, including investment policies, financial arrangements and projects to promote sustainable sea cucumber processing and marketing; d. socio-economic or environmental impacts of sea cucumber fishing and pro cessing; e. awareness and extension programs; and f. other such issues related to the sea cucumber fishery. Photo : Emmanuel Tardy 9Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Management measures5 5.1 Approaches for local councils and communities In order to ensure benefits for local communities and to minimize damage to stocks of sea cucumbers, local governments and communities are encouraged and advised to take precautionary measures when establishing local management plans within their respec tive jurisdictions. These measures could include, but are not limited to, the following: a. establish a network of permanent or rotational no fishing areas (the expec tation is that young sea cucumber will be produced and these will settle in nearby areas); the no take fishing areas could comprise 5–15% of suitable sea cucumber habitat; b. declare and enforce periodic short-term open sea cucumber harvest seasons; c. establish systems of best practices regarding processing sea cucumber to im prove product quality and minimize environmental damage; d. develop an agreed system of fair distribution of the sea cucumber resource amongst communities; e. establish systems of monitoring the stocks and catches; f. consider establishing sea cucumber cooperatives to ensure resource sustain ability, improve processing standards and coordinate exports; and g. consult regularly with communities and agencies such as the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society and other relevant Coastal Management Advisory Council partners. 5.2 Open and closed seasons a. Harvesting of sea cucumber shall be governed by limited duration harvest seasons. b. The local government council, after consultation with the Board, may declare from year to year an open season for such time as is deemed advisable for the harvesting and processing of sea cucumber for an island. c. The Authority shall assess the stock of sea cucumber for an island or make comparative assessments at appropriate intervals and advise the local govern ment council and the Board when, where and under what conditions an open season will be sustainable. d. The Authority and the relevant local government council shall give public notice of the period declared for open or closed harvest seasons, and the re strictions placed on the harvesting, processing and disposal of sea cucumbers from the relevant island. 10 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 5.3 Licensing a. Sea cucumber export licenses will be issued by the Authority as a means of controlling and monitoring exports and recovering cost against government expenditure in the management of the sea cucumber fishery. b. The Authority shall call for applications for sea cucumber export licenses. c. When reviewing applications and issuing licenses, the following shall be taken into consideration: i . whether the applicant is a registered business or entity in Republic of the Marshall Islands; ii. ownership and the management of the business or entity by citizens of Republic of the Marshall Islands; iii. anticipated capital contributions and revenue, and whether the gen erated income is likely to be re-invested in Republic of the Marshall Islands; iv. whether the business or entity gives employment and provides train ing in sea cucumber processing or exports to citizens of Republic of the Marshall Islands; v. whether the business or entity has storage facilities that are adequate and secure for storage and inspection of sea cucumber products; vi. whether the business or entity has complied with the relevant laws of Republic of the Marshall Islands relating to marine resources, environ ment, taxation, labor and immigration. d. Licenses shall not be issued unless the required fees are paid. e. Sea cucumber exporting licenses are valid for a period of 12 months. f. The maximum number of sea cucumber exporting licenses issued in any licensing period shall be capped at a figure to be determined by the Authority (the recommended number of sea cucumber export licenses is three [3] for Republic of the Marshall Islands). g. Sea cucumber export licenses shall not be transferable. h. Special operating conditions may be attached to export licenses. i. The licensee shall not hold more than one sea cucumber export license at a time; this restriction applies to any manner of holding, whether as a legal holder, a beneficiary holder, a part holder or by the use of any nominee; 11Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 j. The licensee will allow and assist any authorized enforcement officer to carry out his/her duties, including inspection of packing and export facilities, in spection of reporting log forms, taking photographs and collection of speci mens if necessary. 5.4 Data collection Data are important to the management of the fishery. All licensed exporters must com plete a log sheet, detailing the quantity (total numbers and weight) of sea cucumber by species purchased or received from any atoll/island on a monthly basis. The Authority will make log sheets available to license holders. 5.5 Gear prohibitions Fishing for sea cucumber shall be restricted to hand picking or collecting by either free diving or wading (reef walking) and during daylight hours. 5.6 Species prohibitions and restricted areas a. Collection or possession of sea cucumbers smaller than the live or wet lengths for the species provided in Attachment 1 shall be prohibited. b. Possession of dried sea cucumber smaller than the processed dry lengths provided in Attachment 1 shall be prohibited. c. Collection and export of sea cucumber for ornamental or aquarium trade shall be restricted to the annual average exports by species over the period 2000–2010. d. Consideration shall be given for the protection of rare or threatened sea cu cumber species in RMI. e. Fishing or collecting of sea cucumber shall be prohibited within areas estab lished as protected areas by the national government, local governments or communities, and within world heritage sites. 5.7 Export prohibitions and requirements a. The export of sea cucumber requires prior approval from the Director. b. The export of sea cucumber parts, or broken and damaged sea cucumber, shall be prohibited. 12 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 c. Exporters shall report to the Authority all sea cucumber products they intend to export; this report shall be in the form of a ‘Sea Cucumber Export Declara tion Form’ (attachment 2) detailing the species, quantity, export destination and value; d. Sea cucumber products for export shall be packed separately by species and the holding containers clearly labeled with the species name, quantity of the product and the license number of the exporter; e. Consignments of sea cucumber taken or sent overseas for personal consump tion shall be limited to 12 pieces per person; each consignment requires a permit issued by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority. 5.8 Sea cucumber aquaculture requirements a. Any person or company intending to produce sea cucumber via hatchery technology or be involved in sea cucumber ranching shall first obtain written permission from the Director. b. Potential sea cucumber hatchery or aquaculture investors, or persons or companies interested in ranching sea cucumber are required to submit to the Director a proposal. This will include an outline of the planned operation and its objectives and goals, the planned activities, the source and quantity of brood stock species, the site of the proposed operation, the monthly or yearly production, an evaluation of environmental impacts and procedures to avoid detrimental ones, a business plan, indicators to measure the success of the operation and other information as may be required by the Director. 5.9 Monitoring and enforcement a. The Authority will monitor monthly reports from licensees and provide written summaries to the Board on a quarterly basis. b. Authorized officers will frequently monitor the premises of licensed exporters and examine the sea cucumber product in these premises to search for breaches of this plan and the Marine Resources Act 1997 and breaches of the conditions of the export licenses and regulations. c. The Director will monitor the quarterly level of sea cucumber exports by species and by atoll/island. If the level threatens the sustainable level for successful spawning at the species level, the Director may apply additional measures, after consulting stakeholders and the Board. This is in the best interest of sea cucumber biodiversity, the sustainability of the resource and the economic viability of the sea cucumber fishery. 13Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 5.10 Review and amendments a. The Director shall conduct an analysis of the conservation and management measures set out in this Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan, and determine whether the plan should be reviewed. The Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan may be re viewed upon the written approval of the Authority. b. In reviewing the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan the Director shall have particular regard to the following factors, amongst others: i. the objectives of the Act and this plan; ii. the effectiveness of the data collection and monitoring programs; iii. the status of the stocks, including changes in yield, species and size composition or distribution; iv. benefits to communities; v. the status and economic viability of the fishery; vi. the appropriateness of fees and charges; vii. the effectiveness of the conservation and management measures. c. Having conducted the review, the Director shall make recommendations to the Board as to the continued management of the sea cucumber fishery. In particular the Director may make recommendations regarding the amend ment, revocation or continuation of the Sea Cucumber Fishery Plan. d. The Director shall consult with key stakeholders prior to making any recom mendation to the Board and Minister relating to the result of the review. e. The Authority may revise and amend the attachments as necessary. f. Any proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board; after reviewing the proposed amendments, the Board will approve the revised plan. g. Any amendments or revisions to this plan will be made public. 14 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Attachment 1: Minimum harvest and purchase/export sizes Common name Code name Scientific name Wet length (inches) Dry length (inches) Amberfish HLX Thelenota anax 14 6 Black teatfish HFN Holothuria whitmaei 10 5 Brown sandfish BDV Bohadschia vitiensis 10 6 Curryfish JCV Stichopus herrmanni 12 4 Elephant trunkfish HOZ Holothuria fuscopunctata 14 6 Greenfish JCC Stichopus chloronotus 8 3 Leopardfish KUW Bohadchia argus 12 6 Lollyfish HFA Holothuria atra 8 3 Pinkfish HFE Holothuria edulis 8 4 Prickly redfish TFQ Thelenota ananas 12 6 Surf redfish KUY Actinopyga mauritiana 8 4 White teatfish HFF Holothuria fuscogilva 12 6 15Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Attachment 2: Sea cucumber export declaration form Name of exporter: Export license no.: Date of shipment: Sea cucumber species Number of bags Number of pieces per bag Total weight of each bag (pounds) Export destination Value/currency per pound TOTAL Amberfish (HLX), Black teatfish (HFN), Brown sandfish (BDV), Curryfish (JCV), Elephant trunkfish (HOZ), Greenfish (JCC), Leopardfish (KUW), Lollyfish (HFA), Pinkfish (HFE), Prickly redfish (TFQ), Surf redfish (KUY), White teatfish (HFF). Signature: Date: Sea cucumber exporter Signature: Date: Fisheries Inspector/Authorized officer Send completed form to: The Director, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, PO Box 860, Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960. Telephone: (692) 625-8262/5632; Fax: (692) 625-5447. 16 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Attachment 3: Republic of the Marshall Islands sea cucumbers – Live and processed forms and minimum size limits Trade name Scientific names FAO code Live form Processed form Amberfish Thelonota anax HLX size 14 inches 6 inches Black teatfish Holothuria whitmaei [ex. nobilis] HFN size 10 inches 5 inches Brown sandfish Bohadschia vitiensis BDV size 10 inches 6 inches Curryfish Stichopus herrmanni [ex. variegatus] JCV size 12 inches 4 inches 17Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Trade name Scientific names FAO code Live form Processed form Elephant trunkfish Holothuria fuscopunctata HOZ size 14 inches 6 inches Greenfish Stichopus chloronotus JCC size 8 inches 3 inches Leopardfish Bohadschia argus KUW size 12 inches 6 inches Lollyfish Holothuria atra HFA size 8 inches 3 inches Size Photos: amberfish & leopardfish: P. Laboute, IRD; black teatfish, brown sanfish, lollyfish & prickly redfish: S. Purcell; curryfish: K. Friedman; greenfish: A. Desurmont; elephant trunkfish & pinkfish: WorldFish; surf redfish & white teatfish: J.-L. Menou, IRD 18 Republic of the Marshall Islands National Sea Cucumber Fishery Management Plan 2012 Trade name Scientific names FAO code Live form Processed form Pinkfish Holothuria edulis HFE size 8 inches 4 inches Prickly redfish Thelonota ananas TFQ size 12 inches 6 inches Surf redfish Actinopyga mauritiana KUY size 8 inches 4 inches White teatfish Holothuria fuscogilva HFF size 12 inches 6 inches vav