Small Demand For Beche-De-Mer

Because of the slump in shell prices, residents of the Pacific Islands who try to make some income out of the surrounding seas have been asking about the possi bilities of the well known sea-slug, Beche de-Mer. It is generally thought that there is a profitable market for it in Chinese communities where it is a recognised food.

Inquiries made of Messrs. Intercontental Enterprise Pty., Ltd., Sydney, who handle various tropical marine produce, indicate that there is not much in Beche-de-Mer.

“There is a market,” they reported, “but it is a very small one, and there is little demand. The price now offering barely pays for the gathering and curing of the thing.

“There are 12 types of Beche-de-Mer, and only three of these types are sale able. The producer must not only know whether the sea-slug he has gathered is one of the three wanted, but he also must know how to cure the sea-slug—a certain amount of know-how is needed here. We will take samples and try to find a market. But there should be at least six samples of each line.”