Marine scientists have discovered that certain endangered sea cucumbers can live for decades, with some individuals surviving more than a century. The finding comes from a genetic mark-recapture study, the first of its kind for these animals, conducted by researchers at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
The study used genetic markers to track individual sea cucumbers over time, revealing lifespans far longer than previously assumed. This slow-growing, long-lived nature means the animals are slow to reproduce and recover from population losses.
Because of this, the authors warn that overfishing poses a serious threat. Even modest fishing pressure could drive down populations faster than they can replenish, putting the species at greater risk of extinction.