June 2005
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Sea cucumber sustainability workshop
In January 2005, CRC Torres Strait researchers Mr Sascha Taylor from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Mr Tim Skewes from CSIRO visited Masig, Erub and Mer Islands to conduct a sea cucumber sustainability workshop prior to the next scheduled stock survey in the region. The Torres Strait sea cucumber (bêche-de-mer) fishery is an important commercial fishery to Torres Strait Islanders. Fishing is mainly by free diving from dinghies crewed by two or three fishers, or by hand collection along reefs at low tide. Once collected, the animal is gutted, graded, cleaned, boiled, smoked and dried. Bêche-de-mer is the common name given to the dried processed body of sea cucumbers. The Torres Strait sea cucumber fishery is particularly vulnerable to over-harvesting and is therefore subject to a range of controls. These controls aim to prevent overfishing while allowing Torres Strait Islanders to benefit from the use of sea cucumber stocks. Sandfish on Warrior Reef provided the bulk of the early catches in the fishery, until a stock survey in 1998 found that the population was severely depleted and a prohibition on the harvest of this species was introduced. Subsequent surveys in January 2000 and October 2002 found a small recovery, but the population was still considered heavily depleted. Since 1998, the fishery has mostly targeted black teatfish, white teatfish and surf redfish. A survey in March 2002 found that black teatfish and surf redfish were also overexploited, and a prohibition on the harvest of these species was introduced in January 2003. Current fishing effort focuses on white teatfish, prickly redfish and to a lesser extent, several lower value species. The adequacy of current Total Allowable Catches (TACs) to protect some of these species has been questioned by fishers in light of recent CSIRO research. Currently, this is a major issue for discussion in the fishery as there are large differences between the current TACs in place and the TACs recommended by CSIRO. To ensure the future sustainability of sea cucumber stocks throughout Torres Strait, it is essential that traditional inhabitants are fully aware of the current knowledge, research methodologies and possible management strategies for the fishery. The workshop was attended by stakeholders including Torres Strait Islander traditional and commercial fishers, seafood buyers/processors and council members. Participants discussed the current management arrangements for the fishery, methods used to assess the status of sea cucumber stocks, and the principles behind sustainable exploitation of these stocks. The sessions provided the opportunity for Torres Strait Islanders and other key stakeholders to provide input to the current knowledge, research methods and future management strategies for the fishery. It is hoped that these workshops have also improved the understanding of research on sea cucumbers and the reasons for management advice that is offered to AFMA based on that research. This, in turn, will increase the level of support for future management decisions in the fishery. For more information, contact Mr Sascha Taylor, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, sascha.taylor@afma.gov.au |
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PO Box 772 Townsville
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