Is it legal to sell sea cucumbers?

In many parts of the world, sea cucumbers are sought after as a delicacy and as a medicine and aphrodisiac. This has fueled demand and increased illegal trade of this species. Unfortunately, the illegal trade in sea cucumbers is leading to sharp declines of the species in parts of the world.

Are there sea cucumbers in the Philippines?

The Philippines, as an archipelago, is naturally blessed with a high diversity of sea cucumber species that inhabit its wide seagrass beds, soft bottom areas, and reefs. Sea cucumber ranks 8th among the major fishery exports of the country.

Which country sea cucumber is the best?

Prickly Sea Cucumber The main producers come from Shandong and the Liaodong Peninsula in China, the areas of Kanto, Kansai, Aomori and Hokkaido in Japan, as well as Korea. Japanese-grown sea cucumber boasts the largest size and highest quality, hence its higher price.

Why are sea cucumbers banned?

Sea cucumbers are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, giving them the same level of protection as tigers and making poaching them illegal. However, there has been large-scale poaching and smuggling of the endangered marine creature, leading to the declaration of a sea cucumber reserve.

Why are sea cucumbers smuggled?

Illegal harvesting and overexploitation of these animals leads to poorer sediment health, reduced nutrient recycling and impacting biodiversity. In India, sea cucumber is treated as an endangered species and is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Where can you find sea cucumbers?

Sea cucumbers are found in virtually all marine environments throughout the world, from shallow to deep-sea environments. Sea cucumbers are benthic, meaning they live on the ocean floor. However, their larvae are planktonic, meaning they float in the ocean with the currents.

When were sea cucumbers discovered?

about 400 million years ago
The first fossil records of sea cucumbers date from about 400 million years ago. These are tube-shaped animals which come in a variety of colors and range anywhere from less than an inch to over six feet in length. Some resemble worms and burrow in ocean floor sediments.

What is sea cucumber used for?

They’re often combined with produce like Chinese cabbage, winter melon, and shiitake mushrooms. Sea cucumber is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it’s believed to have healing properties and used to treat ailments like arthritis, cancer, frequent urination, and impotence ( 2 ).