it report-2012 (ryan ivarami-dfmr year 3)

SPAWNING PERIODS OF SEA CUCUMBER IN KAVIENG, NEW IRELAND PROVINCE

DFMR 310: WORK EXPERIENCE ATTACHMENT REPORT

By: IVARAMI, Ryan (DFMR 3)

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCESMANAGEMENT

NATIONAL FISHERIES COLLEGEIN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

2012

SUPERVISORY TEAM NAMES and ADDRESSES (contacts)

MR JERRY BAGATCommercial Fishing OperationsC/o The National Fisheries CollegeP.O. Box 239KaviengNew Ireland ProvinceLandline: (675) 984 2187E-mail: [email protected]

MR SAMOL KANAWICommercial Fishing OperationsC/o The National Fisheries CollegeP.O. Box 239KaviengNew Ireland ProvinceLandline: (675) 984 2187E-mail: [email protected]

MR LITAU POMATCommercial Fishing OperationsC/o The National Fisheries CollegeP.O. Box 239KaviengNew Ireland ProvinceLandline: (675) 984 2187

MR KAIUS MAICommercial Fishing OperationsC/o The National Fisheries CollegeP.O. Box 239KaviengNew Ireland ProvinceLandline: (675) 984 2187E-mail: [email protected]

DECLARATION

I, IVARAMI, Ryan, do solemnly declare that the work contained in this report has not been previously submitted for assessment or copied from any other sources or materials of materials to the best of my knowledge and capabilities. The report contains my own work except where due reference is made.

Signed............................................................... Date:..........................................

ABSTRACT

Sea cucumbers/Beche-de-mer, are of the class Holothuroidea, under the phylum Echinodermata. They consist of 6 orders, 25 families, 200 genera and over 1200 to 1400 species and still counting. There are currently over 20 species of Sea cucumbers found in Papua New Guinea waters. The majority of them are commercial species. Papua New Guinea is a hotspot in Bech-de-mer trade and currently the market in Papua New Guinea has been closed for the last 3 years due to over-exploitation of the species. Holothurians are one species that science still has much to discover about. There are gaps in the scientific knowledge of these species available. The reproductive systems and spawning activities is a must know topic if one is really keen in managing one’s own resources. For the knowledge of this, can help identify size limits, dates of spawning and such so over-fishing, fishing of juveniles, spawning females and males can be avoided to maintain a steady population of the species in the wild. This study focused mainly on spawning behaviours, periods of spawning and larvae’s of the Sea cucumbers. A beneficial study if well planned, well funded to the current knowledge of sea cucumbers in Papua New Guinea but from the research done, time did not allow. Inadequate planning was also a main factor to the end results but, there were signs of positive happenings in the environment in which this study was conducted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Supervisory Team names and Addresses........................................................................2Declaration.........................................................................................................................3Abstract..............................................................................................................................4

Title, Introduction, Objectives ........................................................................................6Materials and Methods.....................................................................................................7Results................................................................................................................................9Discussion..........................................................................................................................19Recommendation and Conclusion..................................................................................22

References........................................................................................................................23Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................24Appendix..........................................................................................................................25

TITLE: “SPAWNING PERIODS OF SEA CUCUMBER IN KAVIENG, NEW IRELAND PROVINCE”

INTRODUCTION:

Sea cucumbers/Holothuria, are of the class Holothuroidea, under the phylum Echinodermata. They consist of 6 orders, 25 families, 200 genera and over 1200 to 1400 species and still counting. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), Sea cucumbers are important commercially as an export species. The Sea cucumbers are harvested by locals from the sea, dried and sold to companies licensed by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and exported. There are approximately 27 species are harvested commercially in PNG. Recently, due to over-exploitation, harvesting of the Sea Cucumbers in PNG was closed by the main authority of fisheries matters in Papua New Guinea, the NFA. Closed meaning; no processing, handling, buying, storing and export of beche-der-mer in Papua New Guinea.

Much research has been done on Sea Cucumbers, their biology, reproduction, anatomy, feeding behaviours but there is still much to be discovered about them. It is known around the world that they reproduced annually with one peak period. This study was mainly focused at their spawning periods and their behaviours for it was observed that there was still not much known of the behaviours and spawning periods of sea cucumber in Papua New Guinea.

This study was conducted at a pen constructed at Sivasat, Ward 4, Kavieng Urban LLG, under the on field supervision of Mr Jerry Bagat, Mr Litau Pomat, Mr George Yowai and Mr Samol Kanawi. It was constructed in front of the Pomat’s residence.

In this report, it will be noticed that, the term, beche-de-mer, refers to the dead specimens commercially exported while sea cucumbers or holothurians, will be used for the live specimens.

The main objectives of the study were to:

Build a sturdy pen to accommodate specimens for study Stock the pen with specimens from the surrounding environment Study their growth rate Observe their spawning behaviours Note down the times when they started spawning Study larvae specimens of the different species And generally find suitable ways to increase the stock numbers around the project site

The major weakness to this study was the time allocated and slow release of funds to kick start this project. Sufficient time would have allowed to fully achieving the objectives set. Six (6) weeks was too short since this study was started late, 3 weeks into the IT 6 weeks and organization for the diploma IT job practical in which this project came under was chaotic due to circumstances that couldn’t be helped. The pen designed was also not totally secure to

keep specimens in. A 3 m radius search was done each time before data was collected to retrieve specimens who managed to escape. The specimens used also where of all sizes, not exactly juveniles which was more preferred for then more accurate data can be collected taking note their size at first spawning. The continuation of the data collection clashed with timetables of other activities restricting the time allocated to spend at the site. Thus, data available cannot be very accurate because one must take into account that sea cucumbers are very distinct in their anatomy characteristics from other sedentary species.

MATERIALS and METHODS:

Cocoa Mesh Wire – 900 mm x 30 m Shade Cloth – 30 m Tie wire x1 coil – 1.6 mm Sledge Hammer Rods x4 – 16 mm Temperature meter Casio fx – 100MS Scientific Calculator Waterproof data board Measuring table and tape Buckets Snorkelling gear: Diving masks, snorkels and reef boots Circular saw SPC Pacific Island Sea Cucumber and Beche-de-mer Identification Card (electronic

copy) Digital Camera

Figure 1. Rods Figure 2. Cocoa Mesh Wire

Construction of the projectEach of the galvanised rods was cut up into approximately three (3) parts, approximately one (1) metre in length for each with a circular saw. Using the sledge hammer, the rods were pounded twenty (20) cm into the sea bed to construct the outline of the pen at the project site, 7 m x 3 m, at a total area of 21 square metres, approximately one (1) metres spacing between each rod. The tie wire was then cut up using pliers. After that, the cocoa mesh wire was then unrolled around the pen and fastened using the tie wires already cut up. Extra length of one end was tied overlapping the other end. Then the shade cloth was cut up horizontally to get a width of approximately eighty (80) cm to fit the length of the rods and width of the wire mesh which is approximately eighty (80) cm. The cloth was then also unrolled around and fastened to the pen using the tie wires. Extra length of one end of the shade cloth was tied also overlapping the other end.

Stocking of the project siteStocking of the pond consisted of species collected around the immediate area and along the mangrove beach front area of Sivasat. Specimens were collected by snorkelling and generally wading through the water along the mangroves, picking them and stored in buckets to be transported to the project. There, they were removed from the bucket into the pen.

Collection and Analysing of DataThe measuring table was used to measure the length for each specimen in the pen but then discarded in favour of measuring tape to accurately measure their length and circumference. Measurement was done while snorkelling. A total length sweep of approximately three (3) metre from the fence of the pen was then before collection of the data was always done to collect and bring back sea cucumbers who escaped from the pen.

Two (2) sets of data were taken between three (3) weekly intervals. For each set of data collected, waterproof data board was used to record data at the site. Photos were taken of each species so they could be identified later with the electronic copy of SPC Pacific Island Sea Cucumber and Beche-de-mer Identification Cards (red and green). The data was then brought back to the National Fisheries College where it was entered into Microsoft Excel 2007 on a Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop. The data was entered onto the spreadsheet in a table form. Then the mean total of the circumference and length of each species was calculated using Auto Average of Editing under the Home tab and entered on the spreadsheet as table form. The total mean of all the species together was then calculated through AutoSum of Editing under the Home tab. Using this formula: total mean of species/total mean of all the species multiplied by 100, the percentage of mean circumference of each species and the percentage of mean length of each species was calculated with a scientific calculator due to a problem with the formula tab for the MS Excel and entered separately onto the spreadsheet in table form. A pie graph was then constructed by highlighting each table, circumference then length. After highlighting, the Insert tab was clicked and Charts under Insert was clicked and Pie chart was selected. MS Excel immediately constructed the pie chart of each, circumference and length. The data of the circumference percentage of the first and second set were tabled up together and the same was done with the length percentage of both sets.

This new tabled data was then highlighted, the Insert tab was selected and under Charts, the Column charts were selected for MS Excel to automatically construct a column chart of circumference percentage of first set of data against the second set. The same was done to the tabled length percentage of both sets.

During the spawning period of the sea cucumbers, the length of the individual specimen was collected during spawning and after spawning. The water thermometer was used to collect the temperature of the water while spawning and after spawning. Temperature was collected in two (2) locations in the pen, the deepest and shallowest part of the pen. The depth of the shallowest and deepest part of the pen was also collected with the time spawning was observed to start. A total of three (3) measurements were measured for each of the depth of the shallowest, deepest part of the pen and the depth at the middle of the pen. Each measurements of the three, was then totalled and divided by three to get each of their mean measurement.

Figure 3. Shade cloth Figure 4. Tie wire

RESULTS:

Identification of the Project site

Figure 5. The location of the project site on the map of Kavieng (2°34’0” S, 150°48’0” E), New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea

Kavieng General Hospital

THE PROJECT

Figure 6. Design of the pen

Galvanised Rods

Cocoa Mesh Wire & Shade

Approximately 3 metres

Approximately 7 metres

Table 1. Common names of the species of bech-de-mer studied in the pen with their scientific names

COMMON NAMES SCIENTIFIC NAMESBlackfish Actinopyga miliarisCurryfish Stichopus hermanniDeepwater redfish Actinopyga echinitesLollyfish Holothuria (Halodeima) atraSandfish Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra

SnakefishHolothuria (Acanthotrapeza) coluber

White teatfishHolothuria (Microthele) fuscogilva

First (1 st ) Set of data collected on the Wednesday 2 nd of May, 2012

Table 2. Mean circumference and Mean length of species in the pen.

SPECIES (COMMON NAMES)

MEAN CIRCUMFERENCE (cm)

MEAN LENGTH (cm)

BLACKFISH 19.25 16.13CURRYFISH 25 19DEEPWATER REDFISH 15.15 16.23LOLLYFISH 24.25 16.5SANDFISH 15.33 12.5SNAKEFISH 22.8 12.6WHITE TEATFISH 23 25

Table 3. Percentage table of the circumference of the species in the pen


PERCENTAGE (CIRCUM)

BLACKFISH 13.3CURRYFISH 17.27DEEPWATER REDFISH 10.46LOLLYFISH 16.75SANDFISH 10.59SNAKEFISH 15.75WHITE TEATFISH 15.88

Table 4. Percentage table of the length of the species in the pen


PERCENTAGE (LENGTH)


13%

17%

10%

17%

11%

16%

16%

CIRCUMFERENCE COMPOSITION OF SPECIES IN THE PEN

BLACKFISH CURRYFISH DEEPWATER REDFISHLOLLYFISH SANDFISH SNAKEFISHWHITE TEATFISH

Figure 7. Pie chart showing the circumference composition of each species in the pen

14%

16%

14%

14%

11%

11%

21%

LENGTH COMPOSITION OF SPECIES IN THE PEN


Figure 8. Pie chart showing the length composition of each species in the pen

Second (2 nd ) Set of data collected on the Wednesday 30 th of May, 2012

Table 5. Mean circumference and Mean length of species in the pen.


MEAN CIRCUMFERENCE (cm)

MEAN LENGTH (cm)

BLACKFISH 23 14.2CURRYFISH 10 16DEEPWATER REDFISH 16.77 13.54LOLLYFISH 6.25 21SANDFISH 12.22 13.56SNAKEFISH 14.8 20.5WHITE TEATFISH 10 16

Table 6. Percentage table of the circumference of the species in the pen


PERCENTAGE (CIRCUM)


Table 7. Percentage table of the length of the species in the pen


PERCENTAGE (LENGTH)


25%

11%

18%7%

13%

16%

11%

CIRCUMFERENCE COMPOSITION OF SPECIES IN THE PEN


Figure 9. Pie chart showing the circumference composition of each species in the pen

12%

14%

12%

18%

12%

18%

14%

LENGTH COMPOSITION OF SPECIES IN THE PEN


Figure 10. Pie chart showing the length composition of each species in the pen

BLACKFISH

CURRYFISH

DEEPWATER REDFISH

LOLLYFISH

SANDFISH

SNAKEFIS

H

WHITE TEATFISH

05

1015202530

CIRCUMFERENCE PERCENTAGE OF BOTH FIRST AND SECOND DATA COLLECTED

PERCENTAGE (CIRCUM)-1st dataPERCENTAGE (CIRCUM)-2nd data


CIR

CU

MFE

RE

NC

E (c

m)

Figure 11. Column graph of the percentage of both sets of data collected for their circumference

BLACKFISH

CURRYFISH

DEEPWATER REDFISH

LOLLYFISH

SANDFISH

SNAKEFIS

H

WHITE TEATFISH

05

10152025

LENGTH PERCENTAGE OF BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND DATA COLLECTED

PERCENTAGE (LNGTH)-1st dataPERCENTAGE (LNGTH)-2nd data


CIR

CU

MFE

RE

NC

E (c

m)

Figure 12. Column graph of the percentage of both sets of data collected for their length

DISCUSSION:

The project, located in the Sivasat area next to the Kavieng General Hospital, as shown in Figure 5, was picked for it was next to a trusted household which would be able to watch over during the night hours. It is a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront area of The National Fisheries College. The waters the project was set up in cannot be said as pristine for the waters when first observed was full of algae growth which was attached to the few seaweeds growing. This was due to the fact that the hospital sewerage system was a couple meters from the project site and the local villagers used the surrounding waters in front of their houses to dispose of their bodily wastes. But it was judged ok to go on with the construction for wave action helped removed majority of the waste and flushed it out to the deeper waters. Water at first touch was warm, maybe it was due to the excess algal growth. For excess algae growth basically uses up more oxygen and prevent heat from escaping. Another reason is that waters closer to the shore a more warmer than waters with bigger depth. This due to the amount of sunlight penetration for sunlight can penetrate to a certain depth. After that is total darkness and thermal stratification preventing the cold to escape. Less heat is diffused to bigger depth for the area is just too big for heat to thoroughly cause change in the temperature since light penetration stops at a certain depth. Shallow water has less area under the water level so thus light penetrates more efficiently. Much change was observed comparing the environment inside the pen and outside. It was seen that after a few weeks, the seaweeds in the pen were in a better state than the ones outside. It can be explained that the ones in the pen were not exposed to harshness of the environment as the ones outsides. The ones inside grew taller and more abundantly for there was less disturbance occurring in and from the surrounding environment. The ones outside, were exposed to disturbance by boat motors and pollution from the people and sewerage. The ones inside had their waters being filtered by the shade cloth and the seabed being cleaned by the sea cucumbers for most of the commercial sea cucumbers are deposit feeders that consume detritus, bacteria and diatoms mixed with sediments on the seabed. So basically, the walls of the pen acted as buffers from negative impacts that disturbed the growth of the ones outside the pen.

A coral was also included into the closed environment of the pen when it was constructed and life outside was tried to be mimicked inside the pen. Other organisms such clam shells, star fishes, fishes, trochus were also introduced into the pen to keep a kind of balanced food web in the pen. A major disadvantage to the pen and its environment inside was that, during the construction, the walls of the pen were not firmly set into the seabed and so, specimens being studied and other introduced species were able to escape.

Note that all the organisms were collected from the Sivasat area so they were all native species in that area. According to the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper 516 on Sea Cucumbers: global Review of Fisheries and Trade, habitats for sea cucumbers in the West Coastal Pacific Region (in which PNG is located), are predominantly coastal seagrass beds near mangroves and the soft and hard substrata of coral reefs (Figure 15 of the

Appendix). The project site is located a few meters from the Sivasat mangrove area and the waters are the beachfront at which the project is located is surrounded by coral reefs. Species of sea cucumbers collected can be seen in Table 1 of the results. All species were identified using the Pacific Island Sea Cucumber and beche-de-mer identification cards produced by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). An example can be seen in Figure 17 of the Appendix. Both the green and red ID cards were used. There were a lot of other species observed in the area but after a bit snorkelling, they were left alone for numbers in population of those particular species were low. Species such as: Bohadschia argus or commonly known as Leopard or Tigerfish and Pearsonothuria graeffei or commonly known as Flowerfish were observed in the surrounding areas of the pen. Signs of juvenile species of Stichopus chlorontus (Greenfish) and Actinopyga lecanora (Stonefish) were also observed. Actinopyga lecanora was also included in the first stocking of the pen but after the first two weeks, it escaped. After surveying the area, it was observed that its population was small in numbers so therefore it was left alone.

Data was collected after 3 weekly intervals; it was observed that due to a not secure construction of the pen, species of sea cucumbers being studied in the pen escaped, so a 3 meter radius search was conducted each time before data collecting. Species lying within the 3 meter radius was collected and placed back into the pen though seas cucumbers are known to travel far in one day. Especially the Holothuria scabra or sandfish which can roll itself into a ball and let the current of the sea roll it from one location to another. An interview with The Nature Conservancy staff of the Kavieng branch, it was found out that they can reach speeds of approximately 2 m/hr when not in a ball but can move faster with the current rolled up as a ball. Risks were taken when species were collected that it might not be the species originally collected and placed in the pen. The area also was observed was rich with a species of Holothuria, the conspicuous sea cucumber. But, they were not included in the study though the area where the pen was constructed was practically crawling with this particular species. Not enough information was not found on this species and with lack of laboratory resources to study it, it was left alone at its will. A measuring board was originally used in the early stages of the project to collected data but it along with the data collected with it was scrapped from the project due to the fact found out by earlier researches that too much handling of the sea cucumber gave inconsistent data. For sea cucumbers are characteristically known to easily change shapes and with human hands disturbing it, it gradually changes it shape therefore rendering the data being collecting useless.

Figure 13. A male Bohadschia marmorata stands erectin a tropical seagrass bed and releases sperm, this disperses into the water column

After the data’s was collected, the raw figures were averaged as seen in Tables 2 and 5 in order for the figures to be converted to graphs so the relationships between the first and second sets of data could be seen. The weight of each sea cucumber would have provided a much better view of the two sets of data was not collected due to the short time allocated for the project and inadequate planning of the project. The circumference and length of each species were collected instead. From Figures 11 and 12, one can see that sea cucumber growth is very difficult to measure thus growth in sea cucumbers has been difficult to assess (Conand, 1990) because they are not susceptible to conventional tagging methods (Purcell, Blockmans and Nash, 2006) as explained, they can change shape very quickly and in time remove whatever tag put on them. However, some growth rates in the wild are available from studies using modal progression analysis, genetic fingerprinting, and the release and monitoring of juveniles but here in PNG, it is very expensive, for equipment for such, needs to be purchased and imported from overseas countries. Some species, like the sandfish Holothuria scabra are relatively fast growing when young (Purcell and Kirby, 2006), reaching the size at first maturity (~180 g) in a year or so but take another couple years to reach an acceptable market size (Purcell and Simutoga, 2008). Data for Blackfish, Deepwater redfish and Snakefish showed positive changes in Figure 11 but those figures cannot be assured whether there really was a change or not for species continued to escape timing spent to measure the individual species cannot be guaranteed. When measuring individual species, one had to be fast, for the few seconds spent in pulling the measuring tape was critical in achieving an accurate measurement. Human error was not something that can be easily avoided so it was taken into consideration when looking at the data collected. All the other species showed drops in circumference in the second data. This could be that these were not species measured in the first data collecting session or simply, human error came into play. In Figure 12, Lollyfish, Sandfish and Snakefish showed positive changes but then again, the same reasons referred to Table 11 can also be applied to this table.

Spawning for Sea cucumbers in PNG usually peaks around the months November and December (Kinch, et al, 2008) (Figure 16 of the Appendix). During this study, spawning was observed on Wednesday, 13th June, 2012. It probably started during the previous night but it was an Actinopyga echinites that was observed. It was followed by another of the same specie a metre away from the first one. The temperature of the water was at an average of 30.9°C with shallow end of the pen having an average depth of 57 cm and the deepest end of the pen having an average depth of 67 cm. The spawning occurred before noon and stopped. It was only the Actinopyga echinites who spawned. The other species in the pen were not observed. They may have spawned in the night when there was no observation being conducted. Sex of the species who spawned could not be determined but from Figure 13, it was probably a male species for it was a first time experience for those present on the scene and the discharge was almost same as seen the picture though different species can easily have different structures of sperm and eggs. The spawning that occurred was not prepared for scientific observation using laboratory equipment could not be conducted for the person responsible for distributing the equipment in the office was quite critically ill and was being hospitalized. She passed away the same week on Friday thus putting all activities on hold and nothing further was done at the project site until today.

RECOMMENDATION and CONCLUSION:

To conclude, a few minor objectives of the study were achieved but the full potential of the study was not achieved. Especially since the Beche-de-mer trade in Papua New Guinea has been closed due to over-exploitation of the Sea cucumbers population numbers in PNG waters. Such study must be seriously looked into and pushed, for the end results can come up with ideas of how to increase the numbers of the holothurians species in Papua New Guinea waters. Due to the warm tropical waters and rich abundance of tropical coral reefs, the waters of Papua New Guinea are teeming with biodiversity. Climate change occurring with the ignorance of the human population can cause drastic changes to the Sea cucumber population. It is highly recommended that more attention be given to the scientific research of our marine and aquatic eco-systems with their respective organisms with Papua New Guinean citizens in the fore front of the projects instead of expatriates because then one can realize that this is our land and waters and we have to look after them for they are full of wonders.

Data on the spawning behaviours and periods of Holothurians are almost to none at hand. Many a research into those topics still have question marks over small parts of the information given for they weren’t sure whether their information was correct or not. It was concluded from browsing through the previous papers that there are still gaps in the world’s scientific knowledge of the species Holothuria. Papua New Guinea is stated as a hot spot in Bech-de-mer Trade, we extract and we, ourselves don’t know about our own species in our own waters. Many papers on Beche-de-mer in PNG are on the trade but on their ecology, biology, etc, there is almost none. High tech scientific gear is not really needed for such research. There are already fisheries scientists and marine biologists in the work force of Papua New Guinea but not doing what they graduated to do. Much money has been put into surveys and such; why not put the money into scientific research on PNG’s own native species. A lot can be discovered and it will in time benefit the commercial side of the picture.

It was most inadequate that the time allocated to this project was short and sharp. Six (6) weeks as already stated was too short a time. The project was in full swing and would have fully achieved if patience and time was given including funds. Much would have been accomplished if it was started early. It is highly recommended that since there are not many scientific researches being done in Papua New Guinea, this is one program which can give much to the scientific knowledge of biodiversity in PNG if enough time, support in terms of funds, equipment is given to individuals who are carrying out the studies. Organization, preparation and planning was lacking during the operation thus it showed clearly in the results. But, in the end much was learnt and experience, stored away for future use if needed anywhere in Papua New Guinea.

REFERENCES

Conand, C. 1990. The Fishery Resources of Pacific Island Countries, Part Two: Holothurians. Fisheries Technical Paper, No. 272.2. Rome, FAO

Kinch, J, Purcell, S, Uthicke, S, Friedman, K. 2008. Population status, fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in the Western Central Pacific. In V. Toral-Granda, A. Lovatelli and M. Vasconcellos. Sea cucumbers. A global review of fisheries and trade. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 516, Rome, FAO

Purcell, S., Blocksman, B. & Nash, W. 2006a. Efficacy of Chemical Markers and Physical Tags for Large-scale Release of an Exploited Holothurian. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 334: 283-293.

Purcell, S. & Kirby, D. 2006. Restocking the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra: Sizing no-take zones through individual-based movement modelling. Fisheries Research 80, Science Direct.

Purcell, S, Lovatelli, A, Vasconcellos, M, Ye, Y.2010. Managing Sea Cucumber Fisheries with an ecosystem approach. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 520, Rome, FAO

Purcell, S. & Simutonga, M. 2008. Spatio-temporal and Size-dependent Variation in the Success of Releasing Cultured Sea Cucumbers in the Wild. Reviews in Fisheries Science, 16: 204-214

Toral-Granda, V, Lovatelli, A, Vasconcellos, M.2008. Sea cucumbers. A global review of fisheries and trade. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 516, Rome, FAO

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI would like to thank:

My supervisory team under the Commercial Fishing Operations namely: Mr. Litau Pomat, Mr. Jerry Bagat, Mr. Samol Kanawi, Mr. Kaius Mai, Mr. George Yowai, Mr. Malakai Komai and their program leader, Mr. John Oswyn for their help, time and resources provided to bring this project to reality.

Mr Litau Pomat and family for graciously allowing me to use their beachfront to construct my project at late notice and also putting an eye out at my project site when I wasn’t around. May God bless you for accommodating me and my project at late notice from my supervisory team. Thank you very much.

The National Fisheries College for their support through transportation to and fro the project site.

The Diploma office team of The National Fisheries College under the Course co-ordinator, Mr. Aisi Anas, namely: Ms Jane Wungen, late Ms Opa Simon (May her soul rest in peace), Mrs Thaiya Ulun and Mr Michael Jack for their support through advices and scientific gear plus lending of snorkelling gears.

My fellow colleagues who helped one way or the other to construct the project, collect data and maintenance of the project; Ms Pauline Hombhanje, Mr Posolok Kanawi, Mr Greg Maiva, Mr Raiko Esi, Mr Benito Rero, Mr Anthony Goiye, Ms Melva Andrew, Ms Mildred Kelokelo, Mr Ravu Daniel, Mr Robert Harangu, Ms Miriam Ovasuru, Mr Chris Molai, Ms Justina Kalo, Mr Hilary Meria, Ms Magaret Simwale and Mr Adrian Kamaram. My deepest gratitude in your support, advices and very willing helping hands through out. Knowledge given and taken between us.

APPENDIX

Figure 14. Some pictures of the construction of the pen

Figure 14. Pictures, Common names and scientific names of species studied

Snakefish (Holothuria coluber) Blackfish (Actinopyga miliaris)

Lollyfish (Holothuria atra) White teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)

Deepwater redfish (Actinopyga echinites) Sandfish (Holothuria scabra)

Curryfish (Stichopus herrmanii)

Figure 15. Characteristics of selected commercial holothurian species in the Western Central Pacific region

Figure 16. Peak spawning periods (shaded) for selected commercial holothurians species in the Western Central Pacific

Source: (Kinch, J, et al, 2008)

Figure 17. Example of Cover page and contents of Sea cucumber and Beche-de-mer samples identification booklet produced by the SPC

Sourced: (Kinch, J, et al, 2008)

it report-2012 (ryan ivarami-dfmr year 3)

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