Sea cucumbers fixing the world

Meet the oceans’ unsung hero.

Human activity is having a huge impact on the world’s oceans - global warming, pollution from fish farms and damage from the fishing industry are all threatening some of the oceans most important ecosystems.

But one creature might be able to help. The humble sea cucumber – an animal in the same family as starfish that looks like a lumpy sausage and lives on the ocean floor.

We meet the Australian researchers using drones to count the cucumbers to understand how their poo is helping coral reefs. And in Madagascar, we speak to the local communities which are learning to sustainably farm the creature, protecting the seas and increasing their income along the way.

Presenter: Myra Anubi

Producer/Reporter: Lizzy McNeill

Series producer: Tom Colls

Sound mix: Annie Gardiner

Editor: Penny Murphy

Email: [email protected]

Image: Sea cucumbers (Getty Images)