REMOVING SEA CUCUMBER IS A MISTAKE FOR SHALLOW COASTAL WATERSSea cucumbers play an important role in

REMOVING SEA CUCUMBER IS A MISTAKE FOR SHALLOW COASTAL WATERSSea cucumbers play an important role in converting dead particulate organic material into recyclable nutrients, keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and clean. But overfishing them can have negative impacts on coastal marine environments, according to a new study published in PeerJ.The golden sandfish (Holothuria scabra) is a sea cucumber widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific, and is one of the highest commercially valued species due to its taste. At least a few statistics show that this species has likely been depleted due to overfishing, as demand grow in Asian markets, it is therefore listed as Endangered.Researchers conducted field experiment, recreating different escenary to ascertain the implications of harvesting, and overharvesting golden sandfish from reefs along Fiji. They found that, in plots with high densities of golden sandfish, oxygen conditions within the sediment stayed relatively stable, even under El Niño event. In the other hand, when all sea cucumbers had been removed, oxigen penetration into surface sediments decreased substantially, by 63 percent. Additionally, reef’s ability to handle increases in organic matter inputs from rainfall and flooding inland was diminished by the removal of golden sandfish. Researchers urge on correcting and improve the management of an important live resource for many tropical coastal communities in these environments.Photo: Sandfish Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra) by  Dai Jiao Reference (Open Access): Lee et al., 2018. Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments in Fiji. PeerJ -- source link
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