RISE IN POACHING OF SEA CUCUMBERS

Bangalore Mirror , Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Correspondent : Deepthi Sanjiv
Recently, two Sri Lankan trawlers were nabbed in Lakshadweep for poaching

High demand for sea cucumbers in China and Southeast Asia has led to a rise in poaching.

Sea cucumbers are scavenger species in the marine ecosystem that clean up water and allow corals to thrive. Thus an increase in poaching is definitely a dangerous sign for marine biodiversity.

As per Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 as well as under Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, sea cucumber is an endangered species giving it the highest level of protection.

Recently, Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari apprehended two Sri Lankan trawlers — Holy Cross III and VI — along with 29 Sri Lankan nationals in Lakshadweep waters for poaching sea cucumber. There are about 1,000 known species of sea cucumbers. They are used in fresh or dried form in various cuisines. Sea cucumber is thought to have medicinal value.

Ashwin Rai of Aquatic Biosystems said sea cumcumber is a delicacy in Southeast Asian countries especially China and Japan. It is highly priced and hence poaching takes place. Wherever there are coral reefs sea cucumbers are prevalent. India has got significant coral reefs in Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu area.

Most of the sea cucumber goes to Chinese and Japanese markets. Sea cucumbers do not multiply fast and lot of species are endangered. The boats seized by the Coast Guards were in possession of total approximate 4,000 and 5,000 kg of sea cucumber each. Even as the Sri Lankan fishermen are jointly being interrogated at the Panambur police station, it may be noted that in April last year, a case was reported.

On April 7 last year, the Indian Coast Guard ship Rajdoot apprehended high seas tuna long liner 'Colombo Marine' for illegal poaching in India's exclusive economic zone at Chereapani reef of Lakshadweep Islands, about 188 nautical miles from New Mangaluru. Mangalore Port that was notified on December 10, 2013 as a port to handle cases under the Act. In May this year, the Coastal Security Group arrested four people in Tuticorin on charges of smuggling sea cucumbers.

The police seized 360 kg of the endangered species from the smugglers. The Gulf of Mannar region is rich in such marine species and there used to be cases of smuggling earlier. The sea cucumbers are smuggled through the sea route to Sri Lanka, from where they are transported to various markets to be used in cuisine and medicines.

 
SOURCE : http://www.bangaloremirror.com/news/state/Rise-in-poaching-of-sea-cucumbers/articleshow/49559196.cms
 


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