Effects of Processing Methods on the Value of Bêche-de-mer from the Fiji Islands

Ravinesh Ram; Roveena Vandana Chand; Paul C Southgate

doi:10.4172/2155-9910.1000152

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Effects of Processing Methods on the Value of Bêche-de-mer from the Fiji Islands

Journal article

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Effects of Processing Methods on the Value of Bêche-de-mer from the Fiji Islands

Ravinesh Ram, Roveena Vandana Chand and Paul C Southgate

Journal of Marine Science: Research and Development, Vol.4(3)

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9910.1000152

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Abstract

Fisheries Sciences

bêche-de-mer

sea cucumber

value and processing

Sea cucumber harvesting, processing into bêche-de-mer (BDM) and exporting had been an important marine commodity trade for over two centuries. Sea cucumber trading has also become an important export earner for the Fiji Islands and a source of income generation for coastal communities involved in this trade. This study showed that the processing techniques being utilized for BDM in Fiji have changed little since they were developed in the 1800's. Fijian BDM (18 commercial species) is generally categorized as 'grade B' in Asian markets because of relatively poor product quality. The quality and value of bêche-de-mer are significantly impacted by negligence during processing by sea cucumber fishers and marine products agents. The loss of value due to poor quality of the final dried product in Fiji ranges from 10% to 50%. Sea cucumber fishers in Fiji need to adopt improved processing techniques that support production of better quality product, improved yield and greater income.

Details

Title: Effects of Processing Methods on the Value of Bêche-de-mer from the Fiji Islands
Authors: Ravinesh Ram (Author) - James Cook University
Roveena Vandana Chand (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands
Paul C Southgate (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Journal of Marine Science: Research and Development, Vol.4(3); 7
Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.4172/2155-9910.1000152
ISSN: 2155-9910
Copyright note: Copyright © 2014 Ram R, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449352402621
Output Type: Journal article

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