Harvest at Sea

Captain and diver Chris Sparks sits in his boat on a September afternoon in 2021, preparing for a full day's work. The job involves diving to find sea cucumbers (mammals, not veggies) and bagging them so they can be hauled into the boat.

Chris Sparks enjoys his office at sea.

Chris Sparks dives for sea cucumbers off of Fidalgo Island.

Chris Sparks prepares to dive for sea cucumbers.

A net full of sea cucumbers is pulled from the bottom of the sea near Anacortes, Washington.

A net full of sea cucumbers is pulled to the surface after they are collected by divers.

A net full of sea cucumbers is hoisted onto the boat.

Freshly harvested sea cucumbers.

Fresh sea cucumbers

Terra Johnson inspects a haul of freshly harvested sea cucumbers.

A sea cucumber

Sea cucumbers are processed right on the boat before it returns to dock.

Sea cucumbers harvested for niche market

Sea cucumbers are more animal than vegetable, but divers do “harvest” them by hand from the bottom of the sea. They are a delicacy in some countries, though not yet particularly popular in the United States. In Washington, a very limited number of commercial divers are licensed to harvest them during a short season. Chris Sparks of Anacortes is one of them. CLICK HERE to see the story and video.

sea-cucumbers harvest washington fishery