Wild sea cucumbers, live, fresh or chilled

cpc code 04511 covers the trade and production of wild sea cucumbers, a highly valued marine delicacy found in many coastal regions around the world. Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, closely related to starfish and sea urchins, and have long been an important part of the seafood industry, particularly in Asia. This industry plays a significant role in the global economy, providing income and sustenance for coastal communities while also contributing to the broader food supply chain.

The production of wild sea cucumbers primarily involves harvesting them from their natural habitats, such as shallow coastal waters and coral reefs. Fishermen use a variety of techniques, including diving, dredging, and hand-picking, to collect the sea cucumbers. Once harvested, the sea cucumbers are typically processed, which may involve cleaning, grading, and sometimes drying or freezing, to prepare them for distribution and consumption.

The main inputs required for the wild sea cucumber industry include the natural resources of the coastal environments where they are found, as well as the vessels, equipment, and labor needed for harvesting and processing. Fishermen and processors may also require access to transportation networks and cold storage facilities to ensure the sea cucumbers reach their destinations in good condition.

The primary output of the wild sea cucumber industry is the sea cucumbers themselves, which are consumed as a delicacy in many parts of the world. The output of this industry may be used as an input for other related industries, such as 04512 Dried, salted or in brine sea cucumbers and 04513 Frozen sea cucumbers, which further process and distribute sea cucumbers for domestic and international markets.