SEA CUCUMBER- A CREATURE IN THE SEA NOT A VEGETABLE
Sea cucumbers are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. They are found on the sea floor worldwide. Sea cucumbers are scavengers that feed on small food items in the seafloor, as well as plankton floating in the water column. Algae, aquatic invertebrates, and waste particles make up their diet. They eat with tube feet that surround their mouths.
In addition to the value of sea cucumbers as a food source for humans, these invertebrates also play an important role in filtering sediments and recycling nutrients back into the food web. The eggs of sea cucumbers provide nutrients for many marine species. As the sea cucumbers are of high value in the East Asian markets, as it is a key ingredient in several traditional medicines, these creatures play a crucial role in preserving the Gulf of Mannar. As sources reveal that there is a serious threat to these endangered species being poached in the coast of Thoothukudi by a well networked mafia operating in the district, which illegally exports sea cucumbers to Sri Lanka and from there to South-east Asian markets. Its trade was banned in the year 2001 as it’s an endangered species, protected under the law.
In 2018 up to 3,500 kg of sea cucumbers was seized and in 2019 still date 2,000 kg of sea cucumbers has been seized. The good news however is that fisherman have not been involved in poaching as there is awareness drives conducted to educate them about the importance of these marine creatures.
