Sulfonated organic compounds derived from algae, including sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) and its headgroup sulfoquinovose (SQ), serve as important sources of carbon and sulfur for marine bacteria. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying their degradation in marine ecosystems remain poorly understood. Here, we show that in Vibrio mediterranei SGW, a glycoside hydrolase family 31 sulfoquinovosidase (GH31 SQase) catalyzes the initial release of SQ from SQ glycosides.