In a joint operation with the Forest Department, the Indian Coast Guard(ICG) seized 1200kg of sea cucumber off the coast of Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu and apprehended two persons. Sea cucumbers are an important constituent of the coral ecosystem and are categorised as an ‘endangered species’ with their harvest being banned under the Wildlife Protection Act of 2001. They play an important role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
The joint patrol was initiated by ICG and forest Department officials after intelligence was received regarding illegal trans-shipment of Sea cucumber in the late intervening hours of Monday and Tuesday. Operating in the dark of the night, the officials monitored the movement of a suspicious vessel and intercepted it.
Boarding the vessel in the morning hours of Tuesday, officials recovered 100 gunny bags of sea cucumber weighing 1.2 tons and brought the two-crewed vessel to Mandapam North Fishing…