- Two ministries consulted sea cucumber exporters on new CITES-compliant trade rules for amberfish (katchala).
- Discussions centered on implementing Non-Detriment Finding assessments, licensing procedures, and sustainability compliance requirements.
- Clear licensing protocols and NDF standards aim to prevent overexploitation while supporting the local export market.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, alongside the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, held a stakeholder consultation with local sea cucumber exporters to discuss new regulatory measures governing the international trade of the amberfish sea cucumber (Holothuria fuscogilva), locally known as katchala.
The meeting focused on implementing the Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) assessment required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Following the receipt of authorization allowing the Maldives to export the species, government officials outlined the operational framework and sustainability criteria necessary to facilitate export activities while remaining compliant with international environmental standards.
Key discussions centered on ensuring that trade practices adhere strictly to CITES guidelines to prevent overexploitation of ocean resources. Officials provided detailed guidance to exporters regarding licensing procedures, application steps, and compliance requirements mandated by the regulatory bodies.
The government highlighted that establishing clear licensing protocols and enforcing NDF standards will help maintain sustainable marine harvesting while supporting the local export market.
