Sea Cucumber 2
Sea cucumbers are of modest value in the live aquarium trade, with ex-vessel values in Florida averaging $1 per sea cucumber. In the food trade however, the ex-vessel value is highly variable, and ranges from 5 cents to $3, depending on the species. Collectors in Florida are currently receiving around $1 per sea cucumber, the same as they receive for those sold into the aquarium trade. However, they are much more valuable once they have been dried and processed, with some species found in Japan historically bringing in up to $200 per pound processed. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the driving force for development and expansion of sea cucumber fisheries is the exploitation and depletion of stocks near Asia, with increasing opportunities found in areas farther away where stocks have not yet been exploited.
Photo by Carli Segelson
Sea Cucumber 2
Sea cucumbers are of modest value in the live aquarium trade, with ex-vessel values in Florida averaging $1 per sea cucumber. In the food trade however, the ex-vessel value is highly variable, and ranges from 5 cents to $3, depending on the species. Collectors in Florida are currently receiving around $1 per sea cucumber, the same as they receive for those sold into the aquarium trade. However, they are much more valuable once they have been dried and processed, with some species found in Japan historically bringing in up to $200 per pound processed. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the driving force for development and expansion of sea cucumber fisheries is the exploitation and depletion of stocks near Asia, with increasing opportunities found in areas farther away where stocks have not yet been exploited.
Photo by Carli Segelson