Fisheries authority in Solomon Islands discovered a huge shipment of endangered giant clams, illegally bound for overseas market. Year of the turtle, actions from Fiji Fishery department to ban the sale of turtle products

Abstract

The audio programme showcase, that several clam species have become extinct in Micronesia and Melanesia because of over harvesting. In order to ensure clams species are not extinct countries such as Solomon Islands have placed bans on export of any clam species. But despite bans on clam exports they have to survive pirate fishing, a Taiwanese company in Honiara recently tried to export 1000kg of giant clams but were caught by authorities for falsely labeling them meat. SPREP launched the year of the sea turtle to raise awareness of the need to conserve turtle population. 6 of the 7 species of turtles in the world are found in the Pacific, but are declining because it is traditionally eaten in the Pacific. Fiji have taken a step to ban the export of turtle meat and turtle products for a year which can potentially turn into a forever ban.