Giant Red Sea Cucumber

The giant red sea cucumber, also known as the California sea cucumber, is a marine invertebrate found from Alaska to the Mexican border. It is the largest species of sea cucumber along the West Coast and can grow up to two feet. Sea cucumbers typically live in a range of habitats including sand, cobble, and rock in shallow intertidal zones to depths of up to 820 feet, preferring habitats that are sheltered from wave action. Giant red sea cucumbers can appear dark red, brown, and/or yellow and move using a series of densely packed tube feet. They feed on organic detritus (decomposed plants and animals) on the seafloor and play a critical role in nutrient cycling. Natural predators include sea stars, crustaceans, various fishes and sea otters.

Overall availability

Giant red sea cucumbers are available primarily in the summer with limited availability the rest of the year in California, and from summer through fall in Washington. Sea cucumbers are sold live or dried, with most directed to overseas markets.

Management

The giant red sea cucumber is harvested by commercial divers in Washington and primarily by trawlers  in California. (A relative, the warty sea cucumber, is harvested by divers in California.) The fishery is independently managed by each state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CA, WA). In Washington, the fishery is co-managed by the state and Treaty Tribes such as the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Tulalip Tribes.