The sea thong, also known as the sea cucumber (family Holothuriidae), is a marine invertebrate prized for its culinary and medicinal value, especially in Asian markets. These echinoderms are primarily harvested from shallow coastal waters and sandy seabeds. The top sea cucumber fishing countries include China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea, with China being both the largest consumer and a significant producer. These nations have developed extensive sea cucumber fisheries, often employing both wild capture and aquaculture methods to meet high demand. The industry is economically important, providing livelihoods for coastal communities, but it also faces challenges such as overfishing and the need for sustainable management practices to prevent depletion of wild stocks.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 37 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.