GRANT NUMBER:  NA86FD0070          NMFS NUMBER: 98-SWR-009

REPORT TITLE:  Evaluation of the Sustainability of the Sea Cucumber Fishery in California

AUTHOR:  Stephen C. Schroeter and Daniel C. Reedy

PUBLISH DATE:  March 23, 2001

AVAILABLE FROM:  National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Regional Office, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4018.  PHONE: (562) 980-4033

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ABSTRACT

The objective of this project was to provide a biological basis for the management of a sustainable sea cucumber fishery in the northeast Pacific, especially in California. The researchers documented historical changes in standing stocks of Parastichopus californicus and P. parvimensis using existing but previously unanalyzed data; estimated the effects of fishing on the standing stocks of P. parvimensis using Before/After/Control Paired Sample analysis; collected monthly data on biological parameters critical to fishery management (e.g., relative allocation to reproduction, feeding, respiration, wall musculature); determined the extent to which size structure and abundance of P. californicus vary with depth and season. Although analyses of some of the data are still ongoing, results of the study have been provided to the California Department of Fish and Game to aid them in developing a sound management plan for these fisheries.