Triton's Trumpet seashell ban in Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Government through the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) has banned the selling and purchasing of the Triton's Trumpet or Tritons in french (Charonia tritonis) in Vanuatu.

DEPC is reminding locals and visitors that there was a ban that lapsed on the 1st of January 2019.

In August of this year, a ministerial order was signed to ban the selling and purchasing of the shell indefinitely.

“Please note that there is a spot fine of 50,000vt for individuals and 100,000Vt for companies. If the fine cannot be paid then the case will proceed to court and the fine can go up to a maximum of 200,000Vt for an individual and 1,000,000Vt for a company” DEPC stated.

DEPC stated that this species has been in danger of extinction for many years due to unsustainable fishing, although not evaluated by the IUCN. In 2007 and 2008, surveys were done through out Vanuatu reefs. The survey found that this shell was completely absent in some areas and present in only small numbers in other areas. It was then that the Fisheries Department chose to put a 10 year ban from 2009 to 2019. However, there has been little increase in their population since and so the Department has chosen to extend that ban indefinitely.

In addition, this shell is important as it is one of the few natural predators of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). The Crown of Thorns starfish occurs naturally on our reefs, is brownish green/orange/red in color, has up to 23 arms, has long sharp venomous needles on its back and can grow up to 35cm in diameter. However, when there is a lot of nutrients in the water and the temperature of the ocean increases, this starfish can exist in outbreak numbers. Sometimes 100 - 400 individuals in a small reef area. It is during this time that they do the most damage on a reef as they solely feed on live corals. An adult can feed at a rate of approximately 1 to 2 meter  of coral reef per day. In the long run that affects our fish catch and can change the biodiversity) on a reef.

Other natural predators of the Crown-of-Thorns starfish include the Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) who is, also, endangered, the Starry puffer fish/balloon fish (Arothron stellatus), and Helmet shells (Cassis spp.). Little is known about the Trumpet shell's life history except for embryogenesis and larval development making it very hard to grow in an artificial environment such as a mariculture lab.

In order to protect this shell, as both an important resource and source of cultural identity, we need to protect it in the wild and so drastic measures have to be taken such as this ban.

Photo supplied Caption: Triton's Trumpet Seashell

     

Author: 
Tensly Sumbe