New steps must to save sea cucumbers

RAMANATHAPURAM: With more and more incidents of sea cucumber smuggling coming to light in the district, questions have been raised on how effective the law is in dealing with the offenders.A government order has banned poaching and smuggling of sea cucumber. But some fishermen groups poach and sell it for reasonable prices. But the real threat is from a network of smugglers who operate in coastal areas. They clandestinely procure sea cucumber, sea horse and some other marine species from fishermen and agents. Their modus operandi is to transport processed sea cucumber to Sri Lanka by illegal ferry and then take it to other countries.Once caught and charges proved, the offenders will have to spend three years in jail and pay a fine of `25,000. According to official sources, many offenders had been acquitted due to the delay in filing of chargesheets by the respective range officers. Sometimes, the officers could not even prove the charge after investigations. Also, the cases booked in 2004 and 2006 are pending in courts. In such situations, the range officer has to bear the expenses of the accused. Sources said there were delays in settling the bills.A ranger at the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park told Express that there was no separate fund to meet the expenses of the accused.