A four-year, A$1.7 million (K3.6 million) project has begun to map out how to revive Papua New Guinea’s dormant sea cucumber industry.
The USC’s Paul Southgate with beche-de-mer
Fishing industry insiders believe that a ban on gathering and selling beche-de-mer, or sea cucumbers, may be lifted in the near future.The PNG Government introduced the moratorium in 2009 because of over-fishing.
‘Stocks have recovered quite well so that the moratorium may be lifted at some stage, but what we want to avoid is a repeat of what happened in the past, and avoid overfishing,’ says Project Leader Paul Southgate, the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Professor of Sustainable Tropical Agriculture.
The project is being funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and will be based at the PNG National Fisheries Authority’s Mariculture Research Facility in Kavieng.
The facility is a former Japanese-owned tuna processing plant, which the NFA developed to create a modern mariculture research centre.
In demand
Southgate says locals and National Fisheries Authority staff will be trained in sustainably culturing marine species for potential export to Australian and Asian markets.
‘Sea cucumbers are quite strange-looking animals, but they are in high demand in south-east Asia for their perceived medicinal properties,’ says Southgate.
‘Prices for the highest grade, and those species most in demand, are around the A$250 to A$400 (K530 to K850) a kilo mark. But, in Hong Kong, prices can range from US$115 to 640 per kg (K349 to K1,940).
‘So there’s a lot of demand and huge opportunity. The question is where supply comes from.’
Sustainability
Mariculture provides an opportunity for a more regular supply of product, says Southgate, ‘so: constant and routine supply, rather than a boom-and-bust type situation, which characterises sea cucumber fisheries.’
‘We are using pens to culture juvenile sea cucumbers at this research stage. But, as the industry develops, we may progress to ranching: basically, producing the animals in a hatchery and then releasing the juveniles into good sites or areas which we know suit growth and development.
‘Prices for the highest grade and those species most in demand are around the A$250-400 (K530-K850) a kilo mark. But in Hong Kong, prices can range from US$115-640 per kg (K349-K1,940). So there’s a lot of demand and huge opportunity.’
‘The research will look at how we can identify aquaculture animals so they can be differentiated from wild collected sea cucumbers.
‘Anecdotally, wild sea cucumbers are reputed to have greater quality but it’s hard to know where that information comes from because very few people have actually aquacultured them and grown them to market size. Our research indicates that cultured sea cucumbers have very similar qualities to those collected from the wild.’
The project will map those parts of the PNG coastline which are suitable for sea cucumber culture, sites which are less suitable and sites which are unsuitable. It will estimate potential production values for each of those areas.
Marketing
The project will also look at how to market beche-de-mer, from packaging through to labelling, which will probably promote the product as coming from a sustainable farming regime.
Initial research has shown that the potential income from sea cucumber farming could be A$32,000 (K68,620) per hectare per year in New Ireland.
An assessment of sea cucumber fisheries in the Western, Central and Manus Provinces in 2007 showed that on average, households which harvested sea cucumbers could make A$1,400-4,2000 (K3,000-K9,000) per year from the sale of beche-de-mer.
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I’m one of those interested person, looking for a beche-der-mar partner for next year 2023 beche-der-mar season.
With due respect, I am looking for partner that can work with me ,
Please advise me, if you have partner for beche-der-mar I’m preparing myself for next year beche-der-mar season
Are you looking for a market overseas to export your dried sea cucumbers to? We got buyers in Hong Kong and Singapore willing to pay good prices for high quality sea cucumbers to export to Hong and Singapore. Email anthonydesmond2@live.com. We deal with licensed buyers, storers and exporters as well as well as fishermen/fisherwomen. We can also help connect investors with locals.
I am Titus Lau currently looking for Financiers in Lae, Morobe Province, Name of License. CD LEAF, IMMEDIATLY REQUIRED FINANCIERS, in Lae Morobe PNG.
i want to buy some for home cooking only at Port Moresby
Hello. If you still need some, call me or text tommypaul422@gmail.com.
Tommy
I live on one of the coastal village in Madang which have a strong family ties across Rai coast and the North Coast plus Island of BagBag which has the volume of Beche Der Met all grades, villagers are harvesting but lack buyers, so please need a buyer urgently.. Please text and call me on 71325649 or Send me an Email, Paulo when up gmail.com.
Paul, I have buyers
Get in touch with me or I will call
Tommy Paul
Bro where are you located?
Hi Tommy Paul, I understand that you have buyers. Can you direct me to the right people?
Thanks
W.Alu
Im look for a goog buyer who can buy my product.
Email me or call me so we can chat.
Mosesonom11@gmail.com
I know where to find high species with quality here in bougainville..
Please contact me..
+67572348880
Arob fisheries Authority must ensure to encourage Bechedemer aquaculture in the Atolls to keep them marketing all year round empowering their livelihood sustainability…. If the Solomons islanders can research it and harnessing it to date then BFA must budget for it same as the Seaweed in Carteret lagoon…Cmon put that Png NFA k15 million kina into a long term life saver…
I can finance sea cucumber businesses.
My requirements are:
1:export license
2:buyer license
3:storage license
Produce me above documents on:
(a) email:rexyapi86@gmail.com
(b) whatsapp:+67579378295
(c) facebook me via Rex Yapi Epa
*I’ll fund fund above licenses holders in initial capital.Proceeds from sales will be shared 50/50 this 2018 harvest season.
….Hurry and call me on 79378295.Ban by NFA will be lifted 1st July,2018.
Hi!!! Am interested with your offer but i don’t have the above documents, please fund me I can make 10 to 15 40kg bags of dried sea cucumbers I am happy with the 50/50 deal please if you a interested call me now 74383642..
My father is an exporter and I’m one of his buyer.I need capital to start buying immediately.I agreed with your 50/50 deal.For more discussion call me on 71416161.
I have export license,buyers license,and storage license but I need financial assistance. Capital to start with.If you finance me than we can go for 50/50 deal as you suggest.
For any interested PNG sea cucumber Buyer, mainly those in Asean countries, we are a reliable and
genuine licence operator cum supplier of a varieties of sea cucumber and of different grades to offer, with direct licence to harvest in PNG.
With the harvest just round the corner, in July ’18, we are anticipating ample stock of dried sea
cucumber to arrive on staggered deliveries, to our warehouse in Singapore comes Aug / Sept ’18.
Hence, as its on a First-Come-First-Serve basis, kindly advise me your interest such as your full name,
company name ( if any ), full address, mobile number, email address, types of sea cucumber you are
interested, quantity, indicative price, etc.
Subsequently, we will email to you the photos of our stock when the stock arrived, price range,
as well as location of our stock, should you be interested to view the stock before confirming
your order.
Should you require further information or quiries, please do not hesitate to contact me at
ckchua65@gmail.com
We look forward to your valuable orders and be of service to you.
Thank you.
Do you have agent in Port Moresby?
Tom Kuhasi
Lawrence Namusi
Thank you all for those who have harvested and stocked up weights of sea cucummber before the actual NFA blockage lifting thats next month of July..
I also brought in my divers from the neigbouring Western Province..My location is at Arob,Empress Augusta Bay….
Am also looking for best price buyers to get attached with me..Contact me through my email ad.lnamusi41@gmail.com
Hello Everyone,
I’m setting up a dive team for BDM in the Milne Bay Prov. I’m looking at harvesting approx 200-300kgs this season.
Id you’re an exporter or buyer, please get in touch with me on the details below…
elia.gmorea@gmail.com
Cheers.
I have exporting licence, buying licence and storage licence, and I am looking for financial partner to operate.
Can you arange me one?
How can you have these licenses when NFA has not approved licenses for 2018 season yet
Your number please?I can finance this.
Your number please.
Hello we are looking for a exporter/ buyer of sea cucumber all pieces. Our team of divers a currently at our Atolls of Bougainville doing their job and we should have some tonnes of sea cucumber to sell.
Please email me if interested buy so we’ll keep it for you. email:marenamoilani@gmail.com
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Marena Moilani
I can assist you
I have a buyer license we have stock of sand fish in Manus and I am looking for buyer. contact me 72864898 Ben Kuve
My husband has 3 50kg of dried sea cucumber. Please send me information on the exact date of sea cucumber market will be open, and also the prices for each different species.
Contact me on 75760012 or email: ilevamaru@gmail.com
i have tons of sea cucumber and iam looking for good market with good price. this is my email adress…silasboki@gmail.com
I’m a exporter here in New Ireland and need a good buyer from Hong Kong who can give me better price for becherdemer when the season opens in June 2018.can contact me on email add. alufrancis6@gmail.com
Can someone give mi some pricing ideas of dried sea cucumbers.
I have stock to export.
hello,I’m interested at your dried seacucumber.
Please send me an email : limcs1988@gmail.com.
Thank you!
vsmraj@hotmail.com
Yes,its a good business here but I do not have a license but I do know a license buyer in Kimbe West New Britain Province who buy dried sea cucumber.
Please tell me agent buyer in Lae so I can contact them. I have the product.
My father is a sea cucumber license buyer in Kimbe so you need or wants to sell sea cucumber please call:70142376.
Will help you.
Thanks,
Willie
Hi, and can you please email me the procedure and process or steps on how to go about to been a sea cucumber seller to the specific markets. Especially the preferred sea cucumbers on the market as there are different species of sea cucumbers and don’t want to harvest the wrong ones.
Please send me information for sea cucumbers collection,when is the right time for collection and also the process of drying it. Also the prices for each type.
Thank you
Willie
What species of sea cucumber in PNG are morally exported to overseas markets.
Hi,
I am interested in ranching of sea cucumber, please provide me more information.
also, I am in the process of collecting data from our small lagoon after this years harvesting.
please email me information on standards size for harvesting and where to get more information to equaijohanis@gmail.com
regards,
Hilda
I have 2 tons of Sea cucumber sitting in my storage..Any interested buyers pls forward your price list to my email address..bta.apawa@gmail.com
We have availble sea cucumber from AROB, any interested buyers can contact me at Pomexport.services@gmail.com
I currently have 6 x 50kg full packed of sand fish sea cucumber and am very much interested to find a buyer at a reasonable price, harvested in South coast of Kiriwina, Trobrian Island. Please advise through my email address.
Hi,
Very interested in your sandfish. Please email me pictures and price to ccseafoodpng@gmail.com.
Hi, Ryan Sagowa Nagayagaya!
I’m interested to buy your sandfish. would you please contact me: jiwen@hotmail.co.nz
thanks.
Hi Ryan,
Shoot me an email on vigilantlimited1@gmail.com and we can discuss further or you can call me on 72779560
Thanks
Manu
Hi Ryan I can help you. Contact me on 75700412 or email: ilevamaru@gmail.com
Leva Irau
I am interested in your sandfish, send me pictures and price, l will absolutely bid the highest price.
Contact me: 73779579/ 75795504
I am interested in your sandfish, emai me pictures and estimated price, l will absolutely bid the highest price in town.
Contact me: 73779579/ 75795504
Could someone please provide me with the details of how to process the harvest and details of prices for the various species? I have clients in wishing to go into this business.
The plan for sustainable harvest of sea cucumbers will take sometime to achieve. Opening of the 2017 bdm harvest season is a welcome for ordinary fishers after 7 years closure. However after a month of fishing this animal there are serious issues that have come to light.
To fishers it is doing the most familiar, the same thing they did in 2009. This means a “free for all” harvesting of sea cucumbers of any size and any animal. The Management Plan on bdm requires minimum live and dried bdm but the fishers don’t know anything about this. No one from NFA carried out awareness about the new Management Plan. As a result in Buka AROB, there are huge volumes of undersized bdm, and in the case of Surf Redfish ratio of undersized to legal size is 20:1 in Kg. There are processing issues also and wastages.
In Buka we have a Chinese buying even undersized bdm and people from the nearby islands have flocked into Buka town some spending several nights there trying to sell bdm. Other buyers are trying to stick to the law but are under pressure to buy also undersized bdm.
We don’t know how much of TAC for AROB had been reached so far as reporting is slow. If buyers are reporting only bdm’s that meet minimum sizes then there is a real risk of over fishing. That is if TAC is composed of only legal sized bdm and undersized bdm not taken into account this fishery will collapse.
A ban for 6 years is inevitable.
Bro, THANKYOU for your wise comments. The fact of the matter is bdm can be sustainable if people don’t get greedy (for overnight satisfaction). If everyone simply follow the simple, straight forward guide lines set by NFA we shouldn’t have extended bans. Kagutoki!
Those of you looking for BDM buyers to buy your products should consult your respective provincial fisheries office so they can direct you to licensed BDM buyers.
NFA should set a standard price for buyers (exporters) to comply. For example, lowest species before the ban was around K25 per kilo. This time around I would be expecting the price to double or triple. Some of the places like where I come from in (atoll islands), this is our main source of income and we do not want prices that can only afford us a packet of rice. We need better homes and other important things a family need. If prices remain low and another ban come into force, there will be absolutely nothing to show for, people will remain suffer.
Our fishermen sell their sea cucumbers for K30.00 per kilo..Can you direct us on where to sell our stock for the right price.
Hi,
Very interested in your stock. Ready to go down to buy anytime. Please email me pictures and price to ccseafoodpng@gmail.com.
Hi
Interested in your stock. Contact me at shaiksan@gmail.com
interested in your stock too. please email me: jiwen@hotmail.co.nz
Contact me on 75700412 or email: ilevamaru@gmail.com
Pls forward me further details to what’s being briefly outlined, ta
I am a looking for potential buyer to export sea cucumber. Please, let me know of the price for various species.
Kind regards
Geoffrey
Contact Papuan Coast Marine Products on 71368431 for further information
Hi,
Very interested in your stock. Ready to go down to your store to buy anytime. Please email me pictures and price to ccseafoodpng@gmail.com.
Hi, geoffrey! I’m interested to buy dried sea cucumber. please email me with deteail to : jiwen@hotmail.co.nz
I understand the ban on harvesting sea cucumber in PNG has now been lifted. Are there any addresses that I can make direct contact for information on current market price for local farmers and export. I’m also interested where the sea cucumbers from png will be exported to.
Thank you
Can we encourage our local fishers to try sea ranching to conserve mature stock?
Doing business while promoting conservation is a must. Am afraid if nothing is done now will lose most parent stock through uncontrolled harvesting thereby no opportunity for effective spawning/recruitment hence no seacumber for future benefit.
Our people need support and guidance
I am going to produce sea cucumber at kaileuna island in Trobriand islands.
Who will give me a good price to buy my product.?
And please up date the places in PNG .also the prices for the sea cucumber per kilo.
Hi,
Very interested in your stock. Ready to go down to buy anytime. Please email me pictures and price to ccseafoodpng@gmail.com.
Hi ! we are able to supply sea cucumber at min 5000kg per month . my email address vincent.2199@gmail.com
Hi, Nick! I’m keen to buy your product. contact me with info to: jiwen@hotmail.co.nz
Contact me on 75700412 or email ilevamaru@gmail.com
How can I get latest updates of who an attend courses and when to give correct infor to the village people who will interested in attending?
Kind regards
Lora