Status and prospects of aquaculture of threatened echinoderms in the Philippines for stock enhancement and restocking
Share
Abstract
Echinoderms are either specifically targeted by gleaners and divers, or form part of the multispecies invertebrate fishery in many coastal areas in the Philippines. The existence of a local sea urchin market in northern Philippines (e.g., Pangasinan, La Union) benefits many coastal families that depend on this fishery for subsistence. In Bolinao, Pangasinan, over 40 families are reportedly dependent on this fishery. Major sea urchin species collected include Tripneustes gratilla, Diadema spp. and Salmacis spp. In the case of holothurian fishery, with over a century of fishery history for holothurians, at least 25 species mostly belonging to the families Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae are commercially important (Schoppe 2000). While there may be local consumption of both fresh and dried products, the latter are largely exported. Echinoderm fishery is dependent on wild stock. The high demand far exceeding supply, good global market prices and their biology (e.g., slow mobility, shallow water benthic habitat) render them vulnerable to overexploitation. The contribution of echinoderm products to the Philippine economy is substantial. The relative contribution of echinoderm products to the income and socio-economic well-being of fisherfolk who collect these invertebrates is undocumented. However, it has been noted that middlemen, especially local buyers who sell trepang in Manila and Manila-based traders-exporters monopolize the profits (F. Nievales, unpublished data). Products from both echinoderm groups remain in short supply in the country and so trading, limited only by declining natural stock, continues to be lucrative.
Suggested Citation
Nievales, M. F. J., Juinio-Meñez, M. A., & Bangi, H. G. (2006). Status and prospects of aquaculture of threatened echinoderms in the Philippines for stock enhancement and restocking. In J. H. Primavera, E. T. Quinitio, & M. R. R. Eguia (Eds.), Proceedings of the Regional Technical Consultation on Stock Enhancement for Threatened Species of International Concern, Iloilo City, Philippines, 13-15 July 2005 (pp. 61-69). Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
Subject
Echinoderm culture; Echinoderm fisheries; Sea cucumber fisheries; Threatened species; Nature conservation; Vulnerable species; Sea urchin fisheries; Marine aquaculture; Stock assessment; Depleted stocks; Hatcheries; Aquaculture facilities; Seed production; stocking (organisms)
; Philippines; Holothuria scabra; Tripneustes gratilla; Diadema; Salmacis

Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
[Grouper aquaculture] technology tips
Castaños, Milagros T.; Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1992) -
Culture of sea bass
Information and Publication Unit, Fishery Conservation and Extension Division, Department of Fisheries, Thailand; Srisuwantach, Vijai (Secretariat, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1984-07)Sea bass or giant sea perch, known as pla kaphong, pla kaphong khao, or pla kaphong namjerd in Thailand, is one of the large brackishwater fish. The species is found mainly in estuaries and mangrove swamps adjacent to the ... -
Induced breeding of Thai silver carp
Information and Publication Unit, Fishery Conservation and Extension Division, Department of Fisheries, Thailand; Srisuwantach, Vijai (Secretariat, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1984-06)Puntius gonionotus Bleeker, or Thai silver carp, called locally "Pla ta pian khao", is one of the Thai local food fish. It is a fast-growing freshwater fish, easy to culture and highly productive. The species feeds mainly ...