---
title: Repopulating sea cucumbers to protect coral reefs
description: Repopulating sea cucumbers to protect coral reefs
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# Repopulating sea cucumbers to protect coral reefs

New research reveals that sea cucumbers, historically overharvested, play a crucial role in coral reef health by consuming harmful bacteria in seafloor sediment. Field experiments in French Polynesia and Palmyra Atoll showed that corals near sea cucumbers were significantly less likely to contract diseases. By grazing on bacteria and decaying organics, sea cucumbers reduce the "food" available for pathogenic microbes, potentially helping to slow coral reef decline. Repopulating sea cucumbers, alongside other conservation efforts, could provide critical time to address the issues of ocean warming and pollution. ([The Conservation)](https://theconversation.com/coral-reef-recovery-could-get-a-boost-from-an-unlikely-source-sea-cucumbers-the-janitors-of-the-seafloor-227212)

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