News Headline
‘Aphrodisiac’ of the ocean: how sea cucumbers became gold for organised crime
Source
Guardian (International Edition)
Publication Date
2021-04-12
Overfishing and smuggling of this crucial animal are affecting biodiversity and the livelihood of local fishers in Sri Lanka.It’s after sunset in Jaffna when Anthony Vigrado dives into the waters of Palk Bay, scanning the seafloor to collect what seems to be prized treasure. What he comes back with are sea cucumbers – long, leathery-skinned creatures that are increasingly valuable and the source of his income for the past 12 years.