Commercial sea cucumbers from east Kalimantan, Indonesia: How to identify the dried products?

Authors

1 Research Centre for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km. 46, Bogor, Indonesia 16911

2 Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, North Jakarta, Indonesia

3 Research Centre for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency, West Java, Indonesia

4 Research Centre for Marine and Land Bioindustry, National Research and Innovation Agency, North Lombok, Indonesia

5 Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center for Pontianak, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia

10.22092/ijfs.2026.135459

Abstract

Certain species of sea cucumbers in Indonesia are valuable marine commodities, commonly traded globally in dried form (trepang). The diversity of trepang species with similar colors and patterns has led to confusion about the names of the species in the coastal areas. As part of ongoing efforts to mitigate false and conserve stock biodiversity, accurate identification of trepang is essential. This study aims to document trepang traded from East Kalimantan, based on their external morphology as well as ossicle shapes and composition. The observation of 24 specimens revealed fifteen species from the family Holothuriidae and five species from the family Stichopodidae. This study recorded dried Bohadschia marmorata, B. subrubra, and Stichopus quadrifasciatus for the first time in East Kalimantan. Understanding these newly recorded commercial species in this region will help the local management authority compile species-specific trading data. Ossicles observation provides an effective method for identifying trepang, particularly in coastal areas where access to advanced laboratory facilities is limited. Therefore, we recommend ossicle examination as an important addition to the species identification of dried sea cucumbers, which are difficult to identify morphologically. This will support regulatory controls and clearance processes, as part of efforts to conserve biodiversity stocks for the sustainable use of sea cucumber species-specific.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 3
May 2026
Pages 433-453

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