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Beche-de-mer)
Bêche-de-mer are a selection of species in the family Holothuroidea, that is eaten in China, Japan, and Indonesia. It is dried for preservation purposes and has to be rehydrated by boiling and soaking in water for several days for the sea cucumber to absorb the liquid back. It is mainly used as an ingredient in soup or stew. In Malaysia, it is called trepang (Malay trīpang) , in Chinese it is "hai sum", the Japanese call it "namako" and in the Philippines it is called "balatan". The trade in Trepang, between Macassans seafarers and the aborigines of Arnhem Land, to supply the markets of Southern China is the first recorded example of trade between the inhabitants of the Australian continent and their Asian neighbours.
Holothuroidea is a class of marine animals. The largest American species is Holothuria floridana, which abounds just below low-water mark on the Florida reefs.
[edit] Fisheries
The state of Western Australia has Bêche-de-mer fisheries from Exmouth to the border of the Northern Territory, almost all of the catch is sandfish (Holothuria scabra). The fishing of the various species known as Bêche-de-mer is regulated by state and federal legislation. Five other species are targeted in the state's Bêche-de-mer harvest, these are Holothuria noblis (white teatfish); Holothuria whitmaei (black teatfish); Thelenota ananas (prickly redfish); Actinopyga echninitis (deep-water redfish); and Holothuria atra (lolly fish).[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Brown, S.; Hart, A. (May, 2004). "Beche-de-mer fishery status report". State of the fisheries report 3. Department of fisheries. Retrieved on 2009-01-03.
