Kolkata, Aug 10 (IANS) A major search operation is underway by the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and local police to apprehend a gang involved in the poaching of sea cucumbers and other marine species.
Three poachers were arrested in a joint operation of the ANC and police on Sunday, August 9. More members of the gang are suspected to be in the area.
“On 09 Aug 26, while maintaining the security of national waters and safeguarding coastal integrity, ANC intercepted and apprehended an unauthorised boat. The intruders have been localised near Diglipur,” the ANC posted on X.
“A coordinated search operation by ANC and AN Police led to the apprehension of three poachers. The presence of additional poachers in the area is suspected, and the search operation remains in progress,” it added.
In an earlier operation, on the intervening night of July 28–29, the ANC and police had arrested a poacher from Diglipur after seizing a boat containing over 300 kg of sea cucumber off Smith Island.
Despite being called cucumbers, these animals play a vital role in marine ecosystems as detritivores, recycling nutrients by breaking down organic matter. Sea cucumbers also excrete calcium carbonate that supports coral reef health.
They are poached as they are in high demand as a luxury food and traditional medicine in East and South‑East Asia. Sea cucumbers can fetch between USD 300 and USD 3,500 per kg in the illegal international market, with some species going up to USD 35,000 per kg.
India has placed sea cucumbers under Schedule‑I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, making their possession totally illegal. They enjoy the same protection status as tigers, elephants and one‑horned rhinoceros. However, preventing their poaching is difficult due to their location on the seabed.
Poachers are active in the Andamans and Lakshadweep, while Sri Lanka has also reported poaching and passed stringent laws against it. In India, the Navy and Coast Guard are constantly on the lookout for those poaching sea cucumbers.
Enforcers, however, rue the lack of effective prosecution, noting that many poachers arrested in the past have obtained bail and returned to the illegal trade.
–IANS
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