Smuggling of sea cucumbers was discovered in Galapagos

An operation that was carried out between last Friday and Saturday in Puerto Grande, northeast of the San Cristobal Island, in Galapagos, found a shipment of 18 sacks with 32.477 of sea cucumbers, which were dried and salty.

The Ministry of the environment reported that the operation was implemented with the collaboration of the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park (DPNG). Sea cucumbers, most of them of the species, Isostichopus horrens, were retained and subsequently transferred to the technical unit of San Cristobal from the DPNG.

The product was packed  in 43 sacks to be guarded  by the DPNG, and will remain there the time that lasts the administrative and criminal process of this environmental crime.

The sea cucumber is a protected species of the marine reserve of Galapagos and worldwide, and its existence is of vital importance since they oxygenate the sea floor.