Indian Coast Guard has confiscated 260 Kg of Sea cucumbers from Edaiyarvalasai seashore near Mandapam on 10 May 23. Sea cucumbers are single branched marine organisms and their collection, trade is banned under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Based on intelligence input received from local sources about an impending trans-shipment of the banned species, an interception team from Coast Guard Station at Mandapam reached shallow waters near Edaiyarvalasai from seaward side and carried out diving operation. Around 11 Gunny bags hidden at sea-bed containing the banned item were recovered during the diving carried out by ICG team. The total value of recovered items is estimated to be around Rs 1.2 Crore. All the recovered items were handed over by ICG to Forest Department for further legal action.