Sea cucumbers, scientifically known as Holothuroidea are essential in helping with pollution in the oceans.

However, the population is declining as sea cucumbers are a popular dish in Asia. They are being over-exploited.

In a recent study in Australia, a research team have used drone surveys, satellite imagery as well as observing singular sea cucumbers, estimating how much they excrete.

The sea cucumbers are involved in the nitrogen cycles in the reef ecosystem. Since sea cucumbers eat and then excrete sediment, they release nitrogen, which is needed by coral reefs as well as algae.