Chennai, Jan 1 (Agency) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Station, Mandapam, on Sunday seized 300 kgs of Sea Cucumber worth Rs 1.35 crore in an anti-poaching operation at Attangarai sea shore about 15 nautical miles off Pamban. Defence sources here said based on an intelligence input, Coast Guard Station Mandapam deployed its team to Attangarai sea shore (15 Nm west of Pamban Lt) and seized 300 kgs Sea Cucumber worth Rs 1.35 crore.
The smugglers fled the scene on sighting the Coast Guard team. Sea Cucumbers play an important role in maintaining balance and biodiversity in marine ecosystem and are listed as endangered species under Schedule-1 of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.