Tropical sea cucumbers are an endangered delicacy
Researchers have discovered that overharvesting has put the Great Barrier Reef's tropical sea cucumber populations in jeopardy, owing to the high demand for this delicacy from East and Southeast Asia.
According to a team led by Dr. Kenny Wolfe of Queensland, Fishery data collected along Australia's primary sea cucumber fishing ground demonstrated the need for regulatory changes.
"The Great Barrier Reef is home to ten of the world's sixteen endangered or vulnerable sea cucumber species," said Dr. Wolfe.
"The data show that populations of some of the most valuable species are dwindling as a result of increasing and persistent global overharvest." "Some consider them a delicacy, but sea cucumbers are the earthworms or vacuums of the sea, keeping the seafloor clean and productive — they're critical for healthy ocean ecosystems."
Teatfish, a rapidly disappearing tropical sea cucumber species, was of particular concern. "Teatfish is listed on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which provides a strong basis for limiting their harvest and export," Dr. Wolfe explained.
"Yet, two of these species, white and black teatfish, accounted for more than 20% of the recent total catch in the Queensland fishery."
Teatfish populations are particularly vulnerable due to their high market value and poor reproduction. "Black teatfish numbers have not recovered since their fishery was closed due to overharvesting in 1999 – although the fishery reopened in 2019.
"We saw a ray of hope in December 2021, when federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley supported the CITES listing and determined that black teatfish harvest would be prohibited due to their dangerous state.
"It's a great win for one of our ten endangered or vulnerable sea cucumbers, but more policy interventions are needed to ensure that other sea cucumber populations don't begin to teeter on the brink of extinction."
"The Great Barrier Reef sea cucumber fishery has long operated under a non-regulatory – and thus non-binding – Performance Measurement System," Professor Byrne explained.