Exploring the Market Potential of Sea Cucumber: A Global Perspective

 

    Sea cucumbers are marine echinoderms belonging to the class Holothuroidea. They are soft-bodied, elongated organisms with leathery skin, inhabiting various marine environments such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and sandy or muddy seabeds. Due to their sedentary nature, they are found in scattered distributions across the ocean floor.

Among the 1,200 identified species, only around 60 are commercially traded worldwide, primarily from the orders Holothuriida, Synallactida, and Dendrochirotida. Initially, sea cucumbers were traded for consumption by Malay and Chinese populations, but their commercial significance has grown due to their diverse applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Medicinal and Commercial Value

Sea cucumbers are known to have numerous medicinal properties, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-thrombotic effects. Various commercial products such as soap, shampoo, tea, crackers, gel, and dietary supplements have been developed from processed sea cucumbers, making them a valuable resource in multiple industries.

Harvesting Methods

Sea cucumbers are harvested through two primary methods:

1. Capture Fisheries – Traditional collection methods involve gleaning, skin diving, scuba diving, hookah diving, and trawling. These methods are commonly practiced in regions with abundant wild stocks.
2. Aquaculture – Due to the depletion of natural sea cucumber populations, aquaculture is gaining prominence. Farming techniques include pond farming, pen culture, sea ranching, and tank culture. These methods help sustain commercial production while ensuring the conservation of wild populations.

Global Market Trends

The international sea cucumber trade is divided into two primary markets:

• The Asian Market – Countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea dominate this segment. The demand is primarily for raw and pickled sea cucumbers, with products such as beche-de-mer, gamat oil, konowata, and dried muscles being particularly popular.
• The Western Market – The United States, Canada, and European countries form the Western market, which primarily deals in raw, frozen, quick-frozen, and canned sea cucumber varieties. Products such as muscle bands and beche-de-mer are commonly traded in these regions.

Trade Statistics and Market Share

In 2021, the global sea cucumber export and import volumes were recorded at 19,963 and 27,986 tonnes, respectively. The highest export share was for frozen sea cucumber (47.64%), followed by dried, salted, and smoked (29.47%), prepared or preserved (13.31%), live (8.78%), and other forms (5.23%). Similarly, imports were dominated by frozen sea cucumber (51.26%), followed by dried, salted, smoked (27.90%), preserved (6.33%), live (5.90%), and others (5.45%). Frozen sea cucumbers accounted for the largest proportion of global trade.

Sea Cucumber Trade in India

India is home to around 12 commercially valuable sea cucumber species, primarily found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and other coastal regions. The trade of sea cucumbers in India began in the 1970s, but due to excessive exploitation, their population declined significantly. Although a blanket ban on their collection and transportation was imposed in 2003, illegal trade continues in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The primary destinations for illicitly traded Indian sea cucumbers include Sri Lanka, China, Singapore, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Conservation Efforts and Future Prospects

Research institutions such as the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, are conducting studies on sea cucumber production and stock enhancement. Various conservation strategies, including stock restoration programs, habitat protection, and sustainable aquaculture, are being implemented to ensure the long-term sustainability of sea cucumber populations.

Future market development in India is expected to focus on two key areas:

1. Sustainable Use – Establishing guidelines for responsible harvesting and aquaculture to prevent overexploitation.
2. Conservation – Implementing legal frameworks to protect sea cucumber populations while promoting eco-friendly trade practices.

Conclusion

Sea cucumbers hold significant commercial and medicinal value, making them a crucial resource in global markets. However, overexploitation and illegal trade pose serious threats to their populations. With sustainable harvesting practices, improved aquaculture methods, and conservation initiatives, the sea cucumber industry can continue to thrive while preserving marine biodiversity for future generations.