A review of recent developments in the world sea cucumber fisheries

Marine Fisheries Review, Fall, 1993 by Chantal Conand, Maria Byrne

New Zealand's interest in a potential fishery for Stichopus mollis has recently increased. The fishery started in 1990 with a special permit granted to one company to collect S. mollis from the southwestern fjords. The permit was linked to the collection of information in collaboration with marine scientists to assess the viability and impact of the fishery (Mladenov and Gerring, 1991). The ecology and reproductive biology of S. mollis has been documented (Sewell, 1990; Sewell and Bergquist, 1990).

Eastern Pacific Ocean

A small fishery for Parastichopus californicus, utilizing scuba, started around 1970 in the State of Washington. Since that time, catches of this species have been reported from British Columbia (Can.) and the State of California (U.S.A.). In California, a smaller species, P. parvimensis, also forms part of the catch (Sloan, 1985; 1986). The Washington and the Canadian fisheries have a unique feature in that the five longitudinal muscles are stripped from the body wall and frozen for export to Japan and Taiwan. The body wall is then processed into beche-de-mer for export. Sloan's (1985, 1986) reviews stated that the fishery is characterized by incomplete market development which imparts instability and causes non-stockrelated fluctuations in landings.

Several recent studies have contributed to our knowledge of the biology of P. californicus, including studies of its reproductive cycle and spawning behavior (Cameron and Fankboner, 1986; McEuen, 1988; Smiley, 1988a). There are also studies detailing ovulation, the maturation hormone, and metamorphosis of this species (Smiley and Cloney, 1985; Smiley, 1986, 1988a, b). Recently, Cameron and Fankboner (1989) described the development, recruitment and juvenile ecology of P. californicus, aspects of which are poorly documented for other sea cucumbers.

The Washington dive fishery is controlled by the Department of Fisheries (Bradbury, 1990; Bradbury(3)). Up to 1987, the fishery was assessed through mandatory logbooks filled out by licensed divers, and there were no seasonal or harvest area restrictions. Following signs of overfishing, the Washington Department of Fisheries divided state waters into four harvest areas: The San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Central Puget Sound, and South Puget Sound/Hood Canal. Commercial exploitation of these areas now rotates, so each district goes unfished for 3 1/2 years after a 6-month harvest. A seasonal restriction has also been imposed, with fishing allowed for 6 months a year, from 1 May to 31 October. The period for closure was decided with respect to the seasonal atrophy of the viscera of P. californicus described by Fankboner and Cameron (1985). This rotation of harvest areas should allow the sea cucumbers to spawn at least once before being harvested. Recent research on the biology of this species provides a scientific basis for the management of the fishery. Limited-entry legislation was also approved in 1990, and the number of boats licensed has declined.