Managing sea cucumber fisheries with an ecosystem approach

By Steven W. Purcell

Subjects: Management, Ecology, Sea cucumbers, Echinodermata, Fishery management, Holothurians, Trepang fisheries

Description: "Sea cucumbers are important resources for coastal livelihoods in more than 40 countries. Sadly, widespread overexploitation of wild stocks risks biodiversity loss and the long-term viability of fisheries. Spawned from an FAO international workshop of experts, this document presents a 'roadmap' to guide fishery managers in choosing appropriate regulatory measures and management actions for sea cucumber fisheries. It elaborates on their use, limitations and modes of implementation, with Examples and lessons learned from various fisheries. Achieving sustainable management of sea cucumber fisheries requires an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), precautionary regulations, improved enforcement and stronger commitment of fishery managers and policy-makers"--P. [4] of cover.