The head of Aquaculture Research in Tonga, Poasi Ngaluafe, says Chinese businesses in Tonga are funding locals to harvest sea-cucumbers illegally, especially in deep sea waters
Mr Ngaluafe says the main problem with the practice is people use hookah or scuba diving, which is banned for commercial fishing use.
He says as a result, a number of locals have died diving, but people are still ignoring the warnings because they want to get paid.
"The Chinese have money or whatever, that's the encouragement for the locals, because the Chinese never die, only the locals, going to do the activities for them. So, it's really hard."
Poasi Ngaluafe says people who get caught harvesting sea cucumber illegally can face up to five years in jail, and fines of more than 10,000 US dollars.
However, he says it's very difficult to enforce the rules.
