Dubbed “vacuum cleaners” of the sea, sea cucumbers play an important role in ecosystems. Sea cucumbers are one of more than 3,000 marine invertebrate species we have here in the Salish Sea. Did you know they can defend themselves by shooting their internal organs out through either their head or butt? Or, that several species of pearlfish live inside their butts? These are just some of the amazing and fun facts you’ll learn about these wacky echinoderms on this episode. Dr. Emaline Montgomery, a research scientist from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, tells us all about these incredible animals! We’ll learn about their biology, their role in aquaculture, threats to marine invertebrate populations, as well as research and conservation efforts.
