Premium Content
Subscriber only
The essential role Sea Cucumbers play in shaping and keeping the Great Barrier Reef healthy is now being tracked by drones capturing massive volumes of the creature’s poo.
A delicacy in many Asian countries, the Sea Cucumber (holothurians)
filters and cleans the reef, depositing huge amounts of waste yearly, equivalent to five times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
Their high value in Asian markets has led to mass overfishing globally, resulting in seven species endangered and nine in a vulnerable category.
Scientists from the University of Newcastle, Macquarie University and James Cook University have discovered a new way to measure the volume of Sea Cucumber poo.
Date Time
Drones reveal importance of sea cucumber poop in protecting coral reefs
A new way of measuring the volume of poop produced by sea cucumbers has alerted researchers to the essential role these sea creatures play in shaping and keeping the world’s coral reefs healthy.
Remote sensing data obtained from drone and satellite imagery of the Heron Island Reef in Queensland, Australia has been used to better understand the huge volume of sediment passed through holothurians (sea cucumbers).
The new study, published by researchers from Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle and James Cook University, highlights the need for better protection for this often-overlooked sea creature.