Community Structure of Sea Cucumber in the Intertidal Zone and Extent of Its Use in Poblacion, Cortes, Surigao del Sur

Abstract

Abundance, species composition, distribution, and rapid survey on the fishery status of sea cucumbers in the intertidal areas of Poblacion, Cortes was conducted for two index seasons (dry and wet) in August and December 2017, respectively. A total of eight sea cucumber species from two families were identified during the two-monsoon seasons of collection with a higher species diversity for the dry season. Holothuria atra and Synapta maculata dominantly occurred in both seasons. These species were found mostly in seagrass and sandy areas. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that the total organic matter and grain size in the sediments might influence the abundance of sea cucumber in two seasons. Gleaning and fishing might have affected the abundance of sea cucumber since they serve as the primary source of food and livelihood by the residents. Sustainable sea cucumber fishery resource and conservation should be implemented in the area.