Over 100 tonnes sea cucumbers, that are essential for marine ecosystems, seized in unlawful wildlife commerce from 2010-21, says report

A latest research on unlawful wildlife commerce of sea cucumbers by TRAFFIC and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has revealed that 101.40 tonnes, that’s, 6,976 sea cucumber people have been seized from 2010-2021. During the 12-year interval, a whole of 163 seizures have been recorded, of which a most of 139 seizures have been reported from Tamil Nadu, which accounts for 85% of all the ocean cucumber seizures. Tamil Nadu was adopted by 15 seizures in Lakshadweep, 4 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, two in Karnataka, and one every in Manipur and Kerala, respectively. According to the seizure studies, Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia have been the highest three locations for sea cucumbers trafficked from India.

Sea cucumbers are marine animals and belong to Class Holothuroidea of Phylum Echinodermata. Benthic in nature, sea cucumbers are distributed throughout the seas, and demand for sea cucumbers in east Asian and Southeast Asian markets, together with the benefit of harvest and low processing prices (drying), is proving to be detrimental to the species and its survival in its habitats in India.

The report titled ‘In Deep Waters: India’s Sea Cucumbers in Illegal Wildlife Trade’ was revealed on Thursday. “According to the seizure reports, Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia were the top three destinations for sea cucumbers trafficked from India,” the research mentioned.

A press assertion issued on the report mentioned that sea cucumbers are essential to the marine ecosystem as they eat decomposing natural matter and convert it into recyclable vitamins for different marine life. In addition, feeding and excretion by sea cucumbers improve sea water’s alkalinity, buffering the ocean’s acidification, the assertion added.

“It is also equally important to raise awareness about the legal and conservation status of sea cucumbers among fisheries through targeted campaigns in local languages,” Ravi Singh, secretary common and CEO of WWF-India, mentioned.

In India, roughly 200 sea cucumber species are discovered, all of that are protected underneath the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 towards assortment, commerce or any type of utilisation. Two species of sea cucumber present in Indian waters —  Holothuria fuscogilva and  H. nobilis — are additionally listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 2020, which regulates their worldwide commerce.

Merwyn Fernandes, coordinator, TRAFFIC’s India Office and writer of the report, mentioned that regardless of the strict authorized provisions, the Holothurian populations in India have been subjected to unlawful harvest. “TRAFFIC and WWF-India’s study indicates an ongoing trend in illicit sea cucumber trade from India to neighbouring countries. With limited information about its population status, the trade could have a detrimental impact on the species’ future,” Dr. Fernandes mentioned.

The report highlighting the temporal patterns of seizure signifies that throughout the 12-year interval, the very best numbers of seizures (27) have been reported in 2017 from Tamil Nadu. “Till 2014, the number of reported seizures declined in Tamil Nadu and then showed an upward trend till 2017, again decreasing till 2021,” the report mentioned.

Source websites (areas from the place sea cucumbers have been sourced) have been talked about in solely 24% of seizure incidences or 38 seizures. “Of the mentioned source sites, 71% were in Tamil Nadu, 18% were in Lakshadweep, and the rest were from Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” the report mentioned.

In Tamil Nadu, Devipattinam was reported as a sea cucumber-rich web site by 35.5% of fishers, adopted by Dhanushkodi (15.5%), Rameswaram (13%), whereas in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 27% of fishers mentioned that Rutland Island was a serious sea cucumber-rich space from the place the commerce chain begins.

The research requires analysis by way of species identification and use of molecular research in analysis and monitoring. “As Sri Lanka is reported to trade with sea cucumbers, this has increased the level of pressure on their population within the Indian waters. It would be pertinent to initiate molecular level studies to understand if the populations can be differentiated across the countries, as many species of sea cucumbers are common across both countries.” the report mentioned.

The doc recommends enhancing capacities in addition to cooperation throughout legislation enforcement businesses.

“The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has this precise mandate, hence, it is suggested that a dedicated unit is to be set up, comprising officers from all relevant LEAs such as District Office, Forest, Fisheries, Police, Customs, Department of Revenue Intelligence, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and WCCB to monitor and coordinate efforts to curb illegal fishing near the coastal areas in the region,” the report added.