The humble sea cucumber, a creature that looks more like a squishy pickle than a luxury commodity, is at the center of a global trade so intense that 60 percent of all known species now face extinction. A new study published in April 2026 reveals that the international market for these marine animals has grown alarmingly, with little oversight and devastating consequences for ocean ecosystems.
A hidden harvest spanning 70 countries
Researchers analyzed trade data and found that sea cucumbers are now harvested in at least 70 countries, with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea among the top exporters. The animals are dried and sold as bêche-de-mer or trepang, primarily to buyers in China, Hong Kong, and other parts of East Asia, where they are prized in soups and traditional medicine. The study, led by scientists from the University of Quebec in Rimouski, Canada, and the University of Newcastle in Australia, documented 381 species in trade. Of those, 228 species are threatened with extinction, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. That is a far higher proportion than earlier estimates had suggested.
Why local fishing communities are feeling the squeeze
For coastal communities across the Indo-Pacific, sea cucumbers have long been a reliable source of income. But as demand has surged, fishers have had to travel farther and dive deeper to find them. In many places, including parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, populations of high-value species like the white teatfish and the black teatfish have collapsed. Local fishers report catching fewer and smaller animals each year. The study notes that the trade is largely unregulated, with only a handful of species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. That means most sea cucumbers cross borders without any monitoring or catch limits.
A quiet crisis on the ocean floor
Sea cucumbers are not just a food item. They play a critical role in marine ecosystems by recycling nutrients and cleaning the seafloor. When they are overharvested, the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds can decline. The study calls for urgent action, including listing more species under CITES and establishing sustainable catch quotas. Without these measures, the authors warn, the trade will continue to push species toward extinction while undermining the livelihoods of the very people who depend on them.
