Why in the news?
- In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) team at Mandapam, Tamilnadu seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species.
- Working on a tip-off about illegal transhipment of sea cucumber in the wee hours of 19 September, the ICG team swung into action and tracked the suspect boat involved in likely smuggling. ICG teams were deployed in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas to effectively cordon the likely escape by sea route.
What is a Sea Cucumber?
- Sea cucumbers belong to the taxonomic class Holothuroidea and are placed under the Echinodermata phylum, which also includes many other well-known marine invertebrates, such as sea stars, sea urchins and sand dollars.
- Sea cucumbers are named so because of their resemblance to the vegetable. Generally found on the seafloor, they possess leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single-branched gonad.
- There are around 1,450 species of sea cucumbers found in the marine system worldwide. Among them, 173 are found in the Indian seas. Out of them, 16 species have been identified as economically very important.
- Sea cucumbers are invertebrates that can grow to up to six feet in length. They are in high demand in China and some parts of South East Asia for food and traditional medicine.
What is the protection status?
- Sea Cucumber has been listed under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- As per Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), sea cucumbers of marine environments enjoy the same status as tigers and lions.
- Lakshadweep administration has announced the creation of the world’s first conservation area for endangered sea cucumbers in an area spread in 239 sq km.
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