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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Revered and Reviled: The Plight of the Vanishing Sea Cucumbers
Annual review of marine science, Vol.17, pp.115-142
01/2025
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Abstract
Sea cucumbers paradoxically suffer from being both highly prized and commonly disregarded. As an Asian medicine and delicacy, they command fabulous prices and are thus overfished, poached, and trafficked. As noncharismatic animals, many are understudied and inadequately protected. Despite presenting a rich diversity of life histories, members of this broad taxonomic group (class Holothuroidea) are often managed simply as “sea cucumbers” in fisheries worldwide. One cannot imagine fishes (class Pisces) being given the same universal treatment. Yet this may happen for species of sea cucumber that differ on the same fundamental level as tilapia and tuna. As more sea cucumbers reach an endangered status and wild populations become depleted to the point of collapse, critical questions arise about the relevance of established conservation and governance strategies. This article reviews the main threats faced by exploited sea cucumbers, outlines conservation and governance effectiveness, identifies gaps in knowledge, and explores management and research perspectives in the context of climate change and booming fisheries crime. We stress the perilous state of harvested sea cucumbers globally and the urgent need for action.
Details
- Title
- Revered and Reviled: The Plight of the Vanishing Sea Cucumbers
- Creators
- Anne Mercier - Memorial University of NewfoundlandSteven W Purcell - International Union for Conservation of NatureEmaline M Montgomery - International Union for Conservation of NatureJeff Kinch - International Union for Conservation of NatureMaria Byrne - International Union for Conservation of NatureJean-François Hamel - International Union for Conservation of Nature
- Publication Details
- Annual review of marine science, Vol.17, pp.115-142
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Identifiers
- 991013248961202368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2025 by the author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article