Catch and Trade of Sea Cucumbers in Getafe, Bohol, Philippines

Abstract

Objective: To determine the catch and trade of sea cucumbers in Nasingin, Getafe, Bohol. Methods: The study utilized a descriptive survey method using a structured questionnaire to gather information from the respondents. Respondents were taken using the snowball sampling method. All the fresh samples were weighed and identified based on their genus and species level using the field guides at the landing sites for two months sampling period. Moreover, catch per unit effort (CPUE) was obtained per catching method, and then a significant difference among them was determined. Findings: Results revealed that there were seventeen (17) identified species of sea cucumber. Out of the seventeen ( 17) recorded species in this study, five (5) species were regarded in a similar study as highly exploited species. Moreover, one (1) species recorded in the survey was just classified under the "Endangered" list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). In terms of the catching method, respondents employed: compressor fishing, gleaning, skin diving, and by-catch using beach seine and triple net. It was also shown that compressor use attained the highest CPUE at 1.74 kg/hr. for April and 2.01 kg/hr. for May and triple net during daytime gained the least CPUE at 0 kg/hr. for April and 0.28 kg/hr. for May. Moreover, it was found that more fishers preferred to dispose of their caught sea cucumber fresh by size and or by species to the local assemblers rather than selling it dried or processed. Novelty: It is noteworthy that some sea cucumber species recorded in this study are still caught and traded despite their listing in IUCN as "endangered" and in CITES Appendix II.