Ban imposed on export of coco de mer kernel |15 May 2012

A communiqué from the Ministry of Environment and Energy says that the ban will ensure the long-term conservation of the species, which is restricted to Praslin and Curieuse.

According to the communiqué, recent reports indicate a significant increase in the frequency of poaching of coco de mer nuts on Praslin and Curieuse, including the indiscriminate clearing of female trees of all nuts regardless of their maturity, and also the felling of nut bearing trees to ease access to the fruits.

According to the environment department, the kernels are being extracted and illegally exported mostly to Asian countries.

“This disturbing trend, if not stopped immediately, will endanger the long-term survival of the flagship species of our country,” says the communiqué.

Discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Praslin Development Fund, the Seychelles Island Foundation, the Seychelles National Parks Authority, private land owners with coco de mer plantations, the Seychelles Police and other stakeholders to put in place new measures to control and monitor trade in the species and also deter poaching.

The measures being considered include improving the records system for producers, dealers and exporters, introducing new tags, and monitoring by the different agents involved in the coco de mer management.

The ban will remain in force until the appropriate solutions are introduced. 
In the meantime, enforcement officers and the police are intensifying their efforts to intercept and bring to justice coco de mer poachers. 

Members of the public are being asked to give information they may have on any suspected transaction related to the trade of coco de mer kernel by contacting the green line number – 2722111.

All permits for export of coco de mer kernels are henceforth suspended. This ban does not affect trade in empty coco de mer nuts by licensed dealers.