Beche-de-mer Survey Madang Province

Below is the list of Sea cucumber species found in Madang Province during 2012 survey. The survey was funded by the National Fisheries Authority and carried out by the Fisheries Management Unit under Sedentary fisheries. Complete list of species of sea cucumber species found in Madang province:

Figure 1. Tiger Fish - Bohadschia argus

Figure 2. Deep Water Red Fish - Actinopyga echinata

Figure 3. Elephant trunkfish - Holothuria fuscopunctata

Table 2.          Relative abundance of each sea cucumber species recorded the reefs of Madang in 2010 – 2012 surveys.

Note: Common names follow those used by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (2003).     

Species                                                                      Common Name

Holothuria atra	Lollyfish
Pearsonothuria graeffei	Flowerfish
Bohadschia argus	Tigerfish
Thelenota anax	Amberfish
Holothuria edulis	Pinkfish
Thelenota ananas	Prickly Redfish
Holothuria scabra	Sand fish
Stichopus herrmanni	Curryfish
Holothuria fuscopunctata	Elephant trunkfish
Stichopus chloronotus	Greenfish
Actinopyga lecanora	Stonefish
Holothuria fuscogilva	White Teatfish
Holothuria nobilis	Black Teatfish
Actinopyga miliaris	Blackfish
Bohadschia vitiensis	Brown sandfish
Actinopyga echinites	Deepwater redfish
Holothuria coluber	Snakefish
Actinopyga mauritiana	Surf redfish

3 years Moratorium placed on Beche-de-mer harvest and Trade in PNG

The National Fisheries Authority has place another three year moratorium on the Beche-de-mer harvest and trade in Papua New Guinea. The last three year moratorium was started in 2010 and within that 3 year period, biological survey team from the National Fisheries Authority conducted annual monitoring surveys in 8 out of 14 Maritime Provinces of Papua New Guinea.

The results of those surveys show that there was quiet an increase in the density of some of the sea cucumber species, while some showed very low in density. However, densities of different species varied in differing locations in each province in the country. Those locations with high densities, nevertheless, were mostly dominated with juveniles. These juveniles give an affirmative domino effect in encouraging moratorium or periodic closures for effective management of marine resources in the country.

Within the 3 year moratorium more recruitment had been taking place, which resulted in more juveniles and given the extension of another 3 years, the juveniles will reach mature or adult sizes for further reproduction and replenishment to over fished locations.  The National Fisheries Authority has to be commended for its policies and management skills to manage the fisheries resources sustainably for one third of the country’s population that depends on marine resources.

Chalk Fish spawning - releasing eggs into the water column. 

Deep Water Redfish

Betel Nuty......

Myself and Kunaun near Kali village, Manus Province, Papua New Guinea. After a long day of Beche-de-mer survey, we went up a river into a betel nut garden. The local boat support man gave this two bucnh before moving on to Mbuka.

Papua New New Guinea and some Pacific Islanders favourite old time snack, BUAI, DAKA na KAMBANG...Buai is the betel nut from the areca nut and the Daka is the mustard grown from vines, while Kambang is the lime crushed from the ashes of corals and shells of bivalves and strombus. The mixture of all the three gives a very distinguishably red colour. 

A pig killing in New Ireland Province
This was in June 2012, at Malagan Beach resort,New Ireland Province. We were there for annual Sea cucumber survey and we were lucky to witness feast preparation for the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill. Guys from the resort were getting around a tree near the beach and I decided to check what it was. To my great surprise, I saw a pig tired up to a tree upside down. Next I saw one of the man with a razor sharp knife trying unsuccessfully to cut the pigs troth. after couple of unsuccessful attempts, finally he forced the blade deep into neck pipes. Just a little squawk and pig was dead with blood gushing out of the cut and dissolved into the sand.

It was really a terrifying moment just observing the pig killed that way, but then we realised it was New Ireland way.