Environment under siege in Latin America

Insight

The hunt for a delicacy called “sea cucumber” takes divers dozens of meters underwater off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Many fishermen are breaking the law and wiping out the very species they rely on for income. Biologists estimate that in five years the animal will be wiped out along the Yucatan coast.

Illegal Hunts by fishermen cook up tons of this lucrative merchandise.The fishermen will get three dollars a kilo which is six times more than what they receive from other catches like sardines.The companies, which get  this merchandise, then sell the sea cucumber for ten times the amount they pay fisherman to buyers from countries like China, where it’s considered a delicacy worth up to 100 dollars a piece.Relentless over-fishing has led the Mexican government to limit permits, and the legal sea cucumber season to just a few weeks a year.

Mexico’s navy and police have been brought in to try to enforce the ban. Those caught illegally fishing sea cucumber face up to seven years in jail. Despite the restrictions, thousands of tons are still being smuggled out of the country. CCTV’s John Holman has this report.

Illegal Hunt for Sea Cucumbers in Mexico

The hunt for a delicacy called "sea cucumber" takes divers dozens of meters underwater off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Many fishermen are breaking the law and wiping out the very species they rely on for income. CCTV's John Holman has this report.

A severe drought in Colombia’s oil-rich eastern province of Casanare has killed more than 20,000 animals, mainly cattle. Now, both environmental experts and locals are pointing fingers.CCTV’s Michelle Begue reports.

Colombians Blame the Oil Industry for Drought

A severe drought in Colombia's oil-rich eastern province of Casanare has killed more than 20,000 animals, mainly cattle. Now, both environmental experts and locals are pointing fingers. CCTV's Michelle Begue has this report.