Fisheries Regulation
YES, there are official regulations, although due to the geography, economy and kustom these are difficult to police and enforce. BUT they are in place for a reason, so that the waters of Vanuatu are not depleted of its marine ecosystem, reefs and fisheries.
Check out the Vanuatu Fisheries Regulations 2009 so you know the regulations and don’t end up encouraging such to be broken. There is a great little booklet available that explains what the regulations are and the logic behind them.
It’s easy for visiting yachties to remain ignorant and partake of marine delicacies or purchase shells when offered, but remember we visit such island nations to enjoy the unspoiled beauty – lets show some responsibility and not encourage the destruction of such an important ecosystem. The sea provides a major source of food for the Ni-Vanuatu people, species are becoming depleted, reefs are dying and over fishing is becoming more and more apparent. Know the rules and say NO when offered an illegal catch.
Tourism alone is putting immense pressure on many species, particularly Triton ( Trumpet), Trochus and Green snails. Did you know it is illegal for any person to have in his or her possession, sell or purchase any trumpet shell from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2019? The same goes for the Trochus shell if it is less than 9 centimetres or more than 13 centimetres in length. Think about these rules before you buy such a shell in the market, the rules have been put in place in an attempt to restore the population of these important eco system players – reefs are dying without these snails.
Coconut crabs are coming under immense pressure, especially with the accessibility today of produce from the outer islands where healthy populations, previously untapped by the restaurant trade, still struggle to exist. The coconut crab is the largest of the land crabs, it can grow up to 4 kilograms, with adults living almost exclusively on land, however the larval stage is spent in the sea. They grow slowly and, if left alone, enjoy a long life – up to 60 years.
In order to give the remaining coconut crab population of Vanuatu the best chances to reproduce successfully Vanuatu fisheries regulations aim to protect females carrying eggs and any crabs smaller than 9cm across the carapace. Also there are closed seasons in some islands when no coconut crabs can be taken ; Torba Province 30 Aug – 1 Nov, Sanma Province 1 May – 31 March (check Years),Maewo Island 1 Nov – 1 April and Erromango Island 1 Sep – 31 March. Remember when looking at your menu or being offered coconut crab that these creatures are at risk and the more tourists continue to think just one wont hurt we are encouraging their demise.
Lobsters are the reef cleaners, after mating the female release her eggs into the sea, leaving the eggs to drift for 4 – 12 months going through the various stages of development, only a tiny number of the thousands of eggs released survive to be carried back to the reef. Regulations are in place to protect both the Rock lobster and the Slipper lobster, its illegal to take any female carrying eggs and any Rock lobster less than 22 cm from head to tail or 7.5 cm in carapace length or a slipper lobster less than 15cm in total length, these guys are too small to reproduce. Its also illegal to spear any lobsters – so carefully check out the mode of dispatch before accepting any lobster – the reason is simple, the meat of a speared crustacean turns bad very quickly and becomes dangerous to consume. Lobsters can not be taken on SCUBA apparatus.
All turtles, dugongs, whales and dolphins are fully protected in Vanuatu.
Help Vanuatu protect its marine environment by supporting these regulations through your own actions and examples.
