Daily Current Affairs : 25-October-2023

In recent news, the Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 12 individuals involved in the smuggling of processed sea cucumbers and turmeric. This incident sheds light on the significance of sea cucumbers, their ecological role, and the pressing need for their conservation.

Preserving Sea Cucumbers:Guardians of Marine Ecosystems: What You Should Know
Courtesy: National Wildlife Federation
Understanding Sea Cucumbers

Classification and Appearance

  • Sea cucumbers belong to echinoderms, a group that includes starfish and sea urchins.
  • Resembling cucumbers, they possess tentacle-like tube feet for locomotion and feeding.

Habitat and Diet

  • Sea cucumbers inhabit marine environments worldwide, from shallow to deep-sea areas.
  • They are benthic creatures, residing on the seafloor, and their larvae drift as plankton in ocean currents.
  • Acting as scavengers, they feed on small items on the seafloor and plankton in the water column.

Significance to Ecosystem

  • Crucial to marine ecosystems, sea cucumbers consume organic matter and transform it into nutrients.
  • Their feeding and excretion processes enhance seawater’s alkalinity, countering ocean acidification.
Utilization and Threats

Historical Use

  • Sea cucumbers have been utilized as food and medicinal ingredients in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures for centuries.

Current Threats

  • High demand has led to overfishing, endangering various sea cucumber species.
  • Some species face the risk of extinction due to relentless exploitation.
Conservation Efforts

Legal Protections

  • Sea cucumbers are safeguarded under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India, prohibiting collection, trade, and utilization.
  • Species like Holothuria fuscogilva and H. nobilis are listed in Appendix II of CITES, ensuring international protection since 2020.

Important Points:

  • Classification and Appearance:
    • Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, related to starfish and sea urchins.
    • They have a cucumber-like shape and tentacle-like tube feet for movement and feeding.
  • Habitat and Diet:
    • Found in marine environments worldwide, from shallow to deep-sea areas.
    • Benthic creatures residing on the seafloor, and their larvae float as plankton.
    • Scavengers that feed on small seafloor items and plankton in the water column.
  • Significance to Ecosystem:
    • Essential for marine ecosystems as they consume organic matter, converting it into nutrients.
    • Their feeding and excretion processes increase seawater’s alkalinity, countering ocean acidification.
  • Utilization and Threats:
    • Historically used as food and medicine in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures.
    • Overfishing due to high demand endangers many sea cucumber species.
    • Some species are on the verge of extinction due to relentless exploitation.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India, prohibiting collection, trade, and utilization.
    • Certain species (e.g., Holothuria fuscogilva and H. nobilis) are listed in Appendix II of CITES, ensuring international protection since 2020.
Why In News

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended 12 individuals involved in a sophisticated smuggling operation, seizing a large quantity of processed sea cucumbers and turmeric, highlighting their commitment to combating illegal activities in maritime regions.

MCQs about Sea Cucumbers

  1. What is the primary role of sea cucumbers in marine ecosystems?
    A. Providing habitat for other marine species
    B. Consuming organic matter and converting it into nutrients
    C. Acting as predators to maintain the balance of marine life
    D. Facilitating coral reef formation
    Correct Answer: B. Consuming organic matter and converting it into nutrients
    Explanation: Sea cucumbers play a vital role in marine ecosystems by consuming organic matter and converting it into recyclable nutrients for other marine life.
  2. Why are some species of sea cucumbers endangered?
    A. Habitat loss due to climate change
    B. Pollution in marine environments
    C. Overfishing caused by high demand
    D. Natural predation by larger marine animals
    Correct Answer: C. Overfishing caused by high demand
    Explanation: Some species of sea cucumbers are endangered due to overfishing driven by their high demand in various markets.
  3. What legal protection do sea cucumbers have in India?
    A. No legal protection
    B. Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
    C. Protected under the Marine Conservation Act
    D. Protected under the Endangered Species Act
    Correct Answer: B. Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
    Explanation: Sea cucumbers are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in India, which prohibits their collection, trade, or any form of utilization.
  4. How do sea cucumbers contribute to countering ocean acidification?
    A. By releasing oxygen into the water
    B. By increasing seawater’s alkalinity through feeding and excretion
    C. By absorbing excess carbon dioxide
    D. By promoting the growth of marine plants
    Correct Answer: B. By increasing seawater’s alkalinity through feeding and excretion
    Explanation: Sea cucumbers increase seawater’s alkalinity through their feeding and excretion processes, which helps in buffering the ocean’s acidification.

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