Released in Biological Conservation, the research was led by a team from the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland.
” Known as the earthworms or vacuums of the sea, sea cucumbers are crucial for reef health, assisting keep the seafloor productive and clean,” stated Dr. Maria Byrne, Professor of Marine Biology from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney.
” Abundant sea cucumber populations on unfished reefs process tonnes of lagoon sediments yearly through their body– they are the tidy sand service.
” These animals remain in danger worldwide and their harvest on the Great Barrier Reef is of terrific issue.
” Fishery information collected along Australias primary sea cucumber fishing ground on the Reef has revealed the need for caution and regulatory modifications.
” The Great Barrier Reef is house to 10 of the worlds 16 threatened or susceptible sea cucumber species. The data shows populations of a few of the highest-valued types have been dwindling due to increasing and relentless international overharvest.
Teatfish in specific danger
One fast-disappearing group of tropical sea cucumbers, called teatfish, is of particular concern.
Teatfish are noted on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which supplies a strong basis to limit their harvest and export. Yet 2 of these types, the white teatfish and black teatfish, represented more than 20 percent of the Queensland fisherys recent overall catch.
Because of their high market worth and bad recreation, populations of teatfish are most at danger. The individuals that stay on the reef stop working to find a mate due to fishery elimination.
” Black teatfish numbers have not recuperated since their fishery was closed in 1999 due to overharvest– although the fishery reopened in 2019,” said Dr. Kenny Wolfe from the University of Queensland.
” In December 2021 we saw a ray of hope, when the federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley supported the CITES listing, and in acknowledgment of their treacherous state determined that black teatfish harvest would not be permitted.
” Its an excellent win for one of our 10 threatened or vulnerable sea cucumbers, but further policy interventions are required to guarantee other sea cucumber populations do not start teetering towards extinction,” he stated.
Greater government protection needed
Professor Byrne stated effective statutory policy was important for safeguarding sea cucumbers.
” The Great Barrier Reef sea cucumber fishery has actually long been operating under whats referred to as a non-regulatory– and for that reason a non-binding– Performance Measurement System.
” This system suggested regular assessment of sea cucumber stocks, however these werent done, so market has actually been operating for years without any real idea of the impact of their harvests on stock sustainability.
” Going forward it will be important to have a statutory managed and imposed policy framework for regular fishery independent stock assessments for all tropical sea cucumber types harvested on the Great Barrier Reef.
” Only then would we be able to examine what is a sustainable harvest and recognize species-specific interventions, hopefully preventing regional extinction of these ecologically important sea cucumber species on the Great Barrier Reef.
” This is essential for the health of the reef and provides an essential contribution to satisfying the Australian and Queensland Governments Reef 2050 strategy, guaranteeing the UNESCO “at-risk” status of the Great Barrier Reef is prevented, and for Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to fulfill its newest Sustainable Fisheries Strategy.”
Referral: “Overview of the Great Barrier Reef sea cucumber fishery with concentrate on endangered and vulnerable species” by Kennedy Wolfe and Maria Byrne, 29 January 2022, Biological Conservation.DOI: 10.1016/ j.biocon.2022.109451.
White Teatfish sea cucumber in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Credit: Steve Purcell
Sea cucumbers are crucial for healthy ocean ecosystems.
Scientists are requiring better protection of tropical sea cucumbers in the Great Barrier Reef whose numbers are dwindling due to persistent and increasing overharvesting.
New research exposes that overharvesting has actually put the Great Barrier Reefs tropical sea cucumber populations in peril, with strong demand for this delicacy from East and Southeast Asia.
Several kinds of sea cucumber are harvested, generally for Chinese intake. The global market for sea cucumbers is approximated to be worth over USD$ 200 million annually.