The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing banning the taking of sea cucumbers for four months to quickly address the mass harvesting of the species from Hawaii waters.

The department said in a statement Thursday it has confirmed people are harvesting sea cucumbers in large quantities for commercial purposes on Oahu and Maui. The department says sea cucumbers are highly prized for medicine and food in some countries.

Division of Aquatic Resources Acting Administrator Alton Miyasaka says sea cucumbers are important to the ecosystem because they clean up organic matter and recycle nutrients.

He says the mass harvesting threatens to deplete a key species on Hawaii’s reefs.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources will consider the proposal for the emergency ban at a meeting next Friday.