Whereas, the alarming rate of the sea cucumber exploitation for the meat trade, the recent discovery of their potential medical and pharmaceutical applications and the recognition of their ecological importance became worldwide concern and came to the attention of international bodies, such as, the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Food and Agriculture Organization and the ASEAN Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Council (SEAFDEC), which organized separate fora to discuss the varied and country-specific issues on sea cucumber fisheries and trade, the outcome of which underscored the overarching need for the producing and exporting countries to enact appropriate management measures for sea cucumbers.

BFAR Administrative, Circular No. 248, Series of 2013, Subject: Size regulation for sea cucumber collection and trade. (2013, December 4). The Philippine Star, p. B-13.