Sea cucumbers are a unique group of marine animals that are often overlooked due to their unappealing appearance and lack of mobility. However, these creatures play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ocean ecosystems.
In recent years, these animals have also become an important resource for human consumption and medicinal purposes, with some species fetching high prices in Asian markets. Let us take a look at what sea cucumbers are and why are they priced so high.
Table of Contents
What are Sea Cucumbers?
Sea cucumbers are marine animals that belong to the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes starfish, sea urchins, and sand dollars. They are soft-bodied creatures that live on the ocean floor, and not a vegetable like its name may suggest.
Sea cucumbers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their bodies are elongated and cylindrical, with a soft and flexible skin that is often covered in bumps or spines. One of the most distinctive feature is their ability to contract and expand their bodies, which is used to defend from predators or to wedge themselves into crevices for protection. Despite their unassuming nature, sea cucumbers possess a remarkable ability to regenerate body parts, defend themselves from predators, and filter and recycle nutrients.
Sea Cucumber and Marine Ecosytems
Sea cucumbers are detritivores, they feed on decaying plant and animal matter on the ocean floor. By doing so, they help break down and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for other organisms to use. Some species of sea cucumbers help to stabilise the ocean floor by creating tunnels and moving sediment around, which can help prevent erosion and create habitats for other species.
How are Sea Cucumbers good for me?
Sea cucumbers have been consumed by humans for thousands of years and are considered a delicacy in many cultures.
Sea cucumbers are low in fat and calories but high in protein, making them a good source of nutrition. They also contain a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, and iron.
Sea cucumbers contain compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and wound-healing properties.
Sea cucumbers contain high levels of chondroitin sulfate, a compound that has been shown to have a beneficial effect on digestive health. It may help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve the absorption of nutrients.
Lastly, some studies have suggested that sea cucumbers may have immune-boosting properties, which can help to strengthen the body’s defences against infections and diseases.
Why are Sea Cucumbers so expensive?
Sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many cultures and can be quite expensive. This is because some species are rare or difficult to find, and are harder to harvest. Its harvest process is also labour intensive where they must be collect by hand. As such, the cost of harvest is high.
Another reason is the combination of its demand and strict harvest regulations, which have been put in place to protect their populations from overfishing. This can limit the supply of sea cucumbers and contribute to their high price.
Summary
Sea cucumbers are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems.
The high demand for sea cucumbers, combined with their rarity and labor-intensive harvesting methods, has thus led to high prices on the international market. As such, qhile sea cucumbers can be a nutritious and delicious food source, it is important to ensure that their consumption is sustainable and does not contribute to their depletion.
Post image: Kindel Media