Research Document - 1999/141
Sea cucumber phase 1 fishery progress report.
By C.M. Hand and J. Rogers
Abstract
This paper provides a progress report following the implementation of an adaptive management regime in 1997 in the sea cucumber fishery. The information being collected in this Phase 1 fishery includes population abundance estimates from transect surveys, effects from varying exploitation-rates in experimental fisheries, recovery from small-scale depletion in removal experiments, and size distribution from biological samples. Methods and results from programs underway are described.
Density estimates from transect surveys, in number of animals per metre of shoreline, varied from 2.6 in Laredo Inlet (PFMA 6) to 13.6 in the Bella Bella area (PFMA 7). The precision of estimates was also variable, from plus or minus 60% in the Gulf Islands (PFMA 17) to 12% in Tolmie Channel (PFMA 6). Results from repeat surveys were consistent in Jervis Inlet (PFMA 16) but varied by 40% between surveys in both Tolmie Channel and Laredo Inlet.
Aspects of survey and experimental fishery results are discussed in relation to factors, such as spatial variation in sea cucumber productivity and migration behavior, that affect the variability and reliability of the data. Recommendations for further research includes studies to monitor the seasonal distribution of sea cucumber populations, and the development of a time-series of recruitment indices in selected habitats and areas of the coast.
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