Q. With reference to Sea Cucumber, consider the following statements.
1. They act like garbage collectors of the ocean world, and they recycle nutrients.
2. World’s first conservation area for Sea Cucumbers is created by Lakshadweep Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species, in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas in Tamil Nadu.
Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates that live on the seafloor found generally in tropical regions.
Statement 1 is correct: They are an integral part of the coral ecosystem. They act like garbage collectors of the ocean world, and they recycle nutrients, thus playing an important role in keeping coral reefs in good condition.
Statement 2 is correct: In 2020, the Lakshadweep Islands administration created the world’s first conservation area for sea cucumbers.
Sea cucumber in India is treated as an endangered species listed under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
Source: PIB
