ONLY 225 tabua (whale's tooth) are allowed to be exported out of the country in a year, says the Department of Environment.
In a paid statement yesterday, the department said, as an endangered species, the trading of whale or parts and derivatives of whales was restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
It said that the tabua (physeter catodon) was a derivative of whales which was a listed specie in Appendix I of CITES of wild flora and fauna.
"Considering the cultural significance tabua has for the indigenous people of Fiji, the Fiji Islands Management Authority and Scientific Council allowed for trade of tabua for personal and household effects," it said.
"This is limited and controlled by setting yearly quota on the export of this commodity, a requirement under the CITES."
The Environment Department said for this year, the quota was placed at 225, which would be further redistributed into monthly quotas to allow for equitable distribution throughout the year.
For the first quarter, 62 tabua will be allowed to be exported -- 22 in January, 20 in February and 20 in March. Fifty tabua will be allowed for export in the second quarter -- 17 each in April and May, and 16 in June.
Another 50 will be permitted for the third quarter -- 17 each in July and August, and 16 in September. The final 63 will be allowed for the last quarter of the year -- 20 in October, 23 in November and 20 in December.
"People intending to export tabua are requested to acquire an approval letter from the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, and present it to the Department of Environment along with the tabua -- accompanying the application is a fee of $30," it said.