Trochus production in Solomon Islands from 1953 to 2006

Trochus (Trochus niloticus) is an important resource for coastal communities in the Solomon Islands because it is easy to harvest, and is non-perishable, which is essential in rural areas where storage facilities and transportation services are poor or irregular. Trochus is commercially exploited mainly for the nacre (shell), which is processed into high-quality buttons for the fashion industry. In addition, the meat is highly regarded as a food by the locals.