1805

James Alckin began the first commercial venture on Lady Elliot Island - the collecting of Beche de Mer (Sea Cucumbers).  These animals were removed from the shallow water, dried and then smoked before being exported to Asia and Malay communities for more than 180 pounds per tonne.  THis practice does not occur on Lady Elliot now because we are a green zone within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, however it does occur in other areas of the Great Barrier Reef.