Biometry, Density and the Biomass of the Commercial Sea Cucumber Population of the Aegean Sea

Abstract

This study focuses on the determination of the commercial sea cucumber biometry, density and biomass in the Aegean Sea region during the period from November 2014 to December 2015. The line transects (25 m x 4 m) method was carried between the depths of 1 to 20 m for the purpose of this study. All the sea cucumbers in a 100 m(2) area was collected by either SCUBA or hookah diving. A total of 6300 m(2) area was scanned and 3 different species of commercial sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa, Holothuria polii, Holothuria mammata) were sampled at different depths. Mean gutted weight (MGW) was estimated as 68.08 +/- 36.14 g for H. mammata, 45.78 +/- 18.77 g for H. polii and 66.51 +/- 30.85 g for H. tubulosa. Within the study area, the density and biomas of the total sea cucumber stock were determined as 1.91 ind./m(2) and 106.56 g/m(2). For these three species living in the Aegean Sea region, it is found that the H. tubulosa (44%) and H. polii (43%) species have greater biomass compared with the H. mammata (13%). Region based density and the distribution of these three species are determined as well.