The Bougainville Fisheries Directorate, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), is currently conducting a month-long awareness campaign on the Sea Cucumber (Beche-de-mer) fishery across the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The campaign commenced on the September 29, 2025, and will conclude on October 29, 2025.

This campaign forms part of the mandatory requirements under the Beche-de-mer Open Season process and aims to ensure fishers, exporters, and local communities are informed about sustainable harvesting and compliance measures.

The joint awareness program is supported by the Bougainville Police Service and focuses on key topics including:

• Identification of sea cucumber species, particularly CITES-listed species.

• Legal and export requirements.

• Sustainable harvesting practices and compliance

• Reporting and monitoring mechanisms to safeguard the fishery resource.

Awareness activities were also conducted through community workshops, shoreline inspections, and stakeholder consultations in selected coastal communities.

The program began in North Bougainville and will continue through Central and South Bougainville before the season opens.

The awareness campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible resource management to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Beche-de-mer fishery, which remains one of Bougainville’s most valuable marine commodities.

The Beche-de-mer Open Season is scheduled to commence on October 17, 2025, and will remain open until Bougainville reaches its Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

The TAC for Bougainville will be confirmed once the season officially opens.