Holothuria whitmaei
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Holothuria whitmaei faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive commercial harvesting for the sea cucumber trade, particularly in Asian markets where it is highly valued. Overfishing has led to local extinctions across much of its range, with fishing pressure often exceeding the species' slow reproductive capacity. Additional threats include habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems.
Habitat
Holothuria whitmaei inhabits shallow tropical coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy lagoons throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The species is typically found in depths ranging from 1-30 meters, preferring areas with mixed substrates of sand, coral rubble, and seagrass where it feeds on organic matter in sediments.
