On the 21 st of August 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with the Samoa
Police Services responded, to calls and reports from the public of an alleged illegal operation of Sea
cucumber commonly known in Samoan as fugafuga being processed at a residence in Vaitele Fou.
There were freshly processed sea cucumber found, with an estimated volume of 150 kg (wet weight) and
30 kg being boiled and processed were accordingly seized. Dried Sea Cucumber or Beche-de-mer as
commonly known at the export market currently retails at an estimated price of USD $20 – $100 per
kilogram depending on the species. An estimated value of these seized fishery products is to be around
USD $5,000. In addition, live sea cucumber were found at the operation and were immediately seized
and released into a nearby sea area as they stand a good chance of survival.
It is an offence to operate an establishment for the process, trade and market of any fish without the
required licence under the Fisheries Management Act 2016.
The investigation of this alleged illegal operation of sea cucumber has commenced. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries and the Samoa Police Services continues to carry out joint operations in
ensuring our fisheries resources are conserved and maintained.