Endangered Inktober - Giant Sea Cucumber by CiamethDay 6 - Giant Sea Cucumber, Thelenota AnanasIUC
Endangered Inktober - Giant Sea Cucumber by Ciameth Day 6 - Giant Sea Cucumber, Thelenota AnanasIUCN Status: Endangered Big and burgundy, at first glance the Giant Sea Cucumber looks like an undersea shag carpet. It can grow little over 2 ft (or 70 cm) long and is covered in five-lobed protuberances all over its body. It is one of several endangered sea cucumber species native to the Indopacific ocean. Sea cucumbers are popular food items in many countries, with demand growing. The Giant Sea Cucumber is considered one of the finest tasting sea cucumbers. Though some countries have harvesting quotas on the Giant Sea Cucumber, poaching beyond those limits occurs due to the market value the species commands. Several countries have no harvesting quota, but those that do are unable to adequately monitor the market - wildlife trafficking officials are almost universally overextended and underfunded. Sea cucumbers are difficult to tag and track, but we do know their population is decreasing and is no longer found in half of its historic range. The Giant Sea Cucumber is a slow-growing animal, and populations will take a long time to recover even if unsustainable harvesting is halted. -- source link
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