Sea Cucumber

Sea Cucumber

Part of: Prelims and GS III – Conservation 

Context Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species, in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas in Tamil Nadu.

What is Sea Cucumber?

• Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates that live on the seafloor found generally in tropical regions. 
• They’re named for their unusual oblong shape that resembles a fat cucumber.
• Significance:
  • They are crucial to maintain the balance of ocean habitats.
  • The main by-products of the sea cucumbers digestion of sand is calcium carbonate and this is essential for the survival of the coral reefs.
  • They act like garbage collectors of the ocean world, and they recycle nutrients
• Threats: Illegal Trading and smuggling
• Protection:
  • IUCN Red List: Brown Sea Cucumber (Endangered), Blackspotted Sea Cucumber (Least Concern), Blue Sea Cucumber (Data Deficient), etc.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
• Conservation Efforts: In 2020, the Lakshadweep Islands administration created the world’s first conservation area – 239 sq. km – for sea cucumbers