Top Slitted Sand Dollar Fishing Countries

The Top Slitted Sand Dollar (Clypeaster reticulatus), a species of flattened, burrowing sea urchin found in sandy coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region, is primarily harvested for its ornamental shell and, in some regions, for traditional medicine and local consumption. While not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries, the species is collected by small-scale and artisanal fishers, especially in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, where rich sandy seabeds provide ideal habitats. In these countries, the sand dollar is often gathered by hand or with simple tools during low tide, and the shells are sold in local markets or exported for the curio trade. Overharvesting and habitat disturbance have raised concerns about the sustainability of sand dollar populations in some areas, prompting calls for better management and conservation measures.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.