World sea cucumber markets: Hong Kong, Guangzhou and New York

Hong Kong, Guangzhou and New York are the most important markets in the sea cucumber industry. Dried sea cucumbers are brought from all over the world to be bought and sold in Hong Kong. Traders and wholesalers are located along Nam Pak Hong Street in the Sheung Wan area in the north-west of Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, China, have been tightly connected since the birth of Hong Kong in the 19th century. Through this channel, most of the dried marine products imported into Hong Kong are re-exported to Guangdong, from where they are traded throughout China. Wholesalers gather along Yat Tak Lou (Yi De Lu) Street in Guangzhou. This paper will explore the historical development of the sea cucumber market in China, with special reference to regional differences. A recent development in the New York market is also explained in relation to trade of the Galapagos sea cucumber, Isostichopus fuscus. The characteristics of these three intertwined markets indicate that resource management plans should take market preference into consideration.