langkawi magazine

Nature SECTION

Sea Cucumber Facts

Local gamat researcher and entrepreneur Prof Hassan Yaacob says the dwindling gamat population in Malaysian waters is not only due to over-harvesting as a result of the commercialisation of gamat-based products, but also the wanton removal of corals by unscrupulous parties. 'The illegal harvesting of corals can cause gamat to gradually die out as their habitat is being destroyed. This is because gamat feed on dead corals and plankton' he says. Prof Hassan adds that the population of gamat is declining and this species of sea cucumber would become extinct in a few years if nothing is done. 'The gamat population in Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Langkawi is dwindling' he adds.

Prof Hassan recalls that in 1994, he could get a big bucket of gamat in an hour after his dives in Pulau Pangkor. 'These days, after an hour, it is difficult to even get three big sea cucumbers' he says. To ensure the survival of gamat, 'the government should take steps to ensure that gamat is not harvested during the breeding season between September and February or March. This is the time when gamat multiply very fast' he says. In three months, gamat can multiply seven times. So if you have 1,000 gamat to begin with, you can obtain up to 7,000. Gamat multiply during the full moon and at high tide.

When collecting gamat, he advises that only medium-sized gamat (15cm long) are taken. Gamat measuring 23cm to 30cm long are breeders and should not be collected. Also small-sized gamat (8cm long) should be left alone to grow, he says. Prof Hassan points out that the destruction of sea urchins also cause gamat to die out. 'Gamat live in symbiosis with sea urchins (also called bulu babi or bulu rambutan laut by some locals)' he says. Pollution has also taken a toll on the survival of gamat in waters off Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Langkawi. He says that gamat cannot live when water salinity is reduced. 'For example, it's getting muddier in Burau Beach. The mud reflects water pollution because of development in the area' he says. Gamat are found in distant, isolated islands where the water is cool and clean. They thrive from 0.6m to 3m under the sea.

'Another peculiarity of the gamat is that they are active during the night. They are very sensitive to sunlight and avoid the sun. That's because when exposed to sunlight, they will 'melt' and die.

Pankor 16/08/2004