Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2019, Vol 19, Num, 6 (Pages: 463-474)
Biometry, Density and the Biomass of the Commercial Sea Cucumber Population of the Aegean Sea
Mehmet Aydin 1
1 Ordu University, Fatsa Faculty of Marine Sciences, Turkey
DOI :
10.4194/1303-2712-v19_6_02
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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 m2 area was collected by either SCUBA or hookah diving. A total of 6300 m2
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./m2 and 106.56 g/m2. 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.
Keywords :
Aegean Sea, Sea cucumbers, Biometry, Density, Biomass