assessment-olavides1-12 corrected with better figures.pmd


Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

1Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12

Assessment of the sea cucumber resource and fishery in the
Bolinao-Anda reef system

Ronald Dionnie D. Olavides*, Christine Mae A. Edullantes,
Marie Antonette Juinio-Meñez

The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101
*Corresponding Author Email: olavides.ronald@gmail.com Phone: +63 2 922 3959

ABSTRACT

Fishery-independent and -dependent surveys were conducted to assess the status of the sea cucumber
resource and fishery in Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan. Thirty-five species of sea cucmbers were recorded
in 25 sampling stations within seagrass beds, coral reefs and mixed habitats. Combined with previous
studies in the area, there about 49 species of sea cucumbers in the Bolinao-Anda reef system. The
estimated total population density of all aspidochirote sea cucumber species is 63 ind. has-1. The artisanal
multi-species fishery is at present primarily based on Holothuria scabra, Stichopus horrens and
Bohadschia marmorata although there are indications that other high-value species were fished to local
extinction. Taken together, the small sizes (<15 cm body length) of the majority of aspidochirote sea
cucumbers, their low population densities, and the continuous decrease in catches are clear signs of an
overexploited fishery that will likely collapse without management intervention. Adaptive management
strategies for Bolinao and Anda are recommended based on the findings of this survey.

Keywords: biodiversity; holothurians; resource assessment; resource management; sea cucumbers;
trepang

INTRODUCTION

Sea cucumbers are among the most important and
highly priced marine invertebrate resources in the
Philippines. Its fishery served as a significant source
of livelihood for many of the coastal communities in
the archipelago (Domantay, 1934; Trinidad-Roa, 1987;
Nievales, 2007; Choo, 2008), and forms the basis of a
multi-million dollar export industry of trepang or dried
sea cucumbers (Gamboa et al., 2004). The insatiable
market demand and unsustainable fishery practices
have led to a rapid decline in high-value sea cucumber
resources throughout the Philippines and in many parts
of the world (Lawrence et al., 2004; Battaglene & Bell,
2006). Although the Philippines is the second largest
exporter of tropical sea cucumbers in the world, there

has been no specific effort to effectively regulate and
manage the fishery on a national scale (Casilagan &
Juinio-Meñez, 2007). The scarcity of useful fishery
baseline information in most regions is often cited as
an obstacle in the formulation of a management plan
(Gamboa et al., 2004).

This paper aims to address information gaps in the
municipalities of Bolinao and Anda, both in Pangasinan,
Luzon Island, Philippines. Transect surveys were done
to identify the sea cucumber species present in the area,
their relative abundance, densities and size structure,
and distribution in major marine habitats. Interviews
with sea cucumber collectors, processors and traders
were undertaken to document local fishery methods
and knowledge/perceptions, and characterize socio-



Olavides, R.D. et al.

2

economic aspect of the fishery. This paper presents
the results of the baseline surveys conducted in October
2007 to February 2009 and recommends adaptive
management strategies for the sea cucumber fishery
in Bolinao and Anda.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Site selection and survey method

Sampling stations were selected from three broad
habitat types, particularly seagrass, coralline and mixed
habitats using a satellite map of the Bolinao and Anda
reef system superimposed with remote sensing data.
Manta tows were undertaken to ground-truth
preselected sites. GPS coordinates of sampling stations
are plotted in mapping software. A total of 25 sampling
stations covering 37,500-m2 were surveyed in the
Bolinao-Anda reef: 25,500 m2 in Bolinao (19,500 m2 in
fishing grounds and 6,000 m2 inside protected areas)
and 12,000 m2 in Anda (Figure 1).

Three replicate 500 m2 (100 m x 5 m) belt transects
per sampling station were laid perpendicular to the
shore and surveyed by pairs of observers for sea
cucumbers during daytime and within 1-20 m depth
range. Identification to genus and species level was
done through examination of external morphology,
microscopic dermal ossicles from tissue samples and
using identification keys (e.g. Domantay, 1960; Tan Tiu,
1981; Reyes-Leonardo et al., 1985; Cannon & Silver,
1986; Conand, 1998; Schoppe, 2000; Desurmont, 2003;
and Kerr et al., 2006). Aspidochirotes or those species
belonging to families Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae
were measured in its relaxed state either in situ or in
the boat. As sea cucumbers contract when disturbed,
many specimens were placed in 90L bins with seawater
in the boat for a few minutes to let it regain its “relaxed”
length and width.  Total body length (from mouth to
anus) and maximum width were measured to the
nearest cm by tracing a tape measure in its body contour.
Specimens were then taken out of the water for a few

Figure 1. Location map of sampling stations in the Bolinao-Anda reef system

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12



Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

3

minutes (to let it expel some water from its gut) and
weighed to the nearest gram using a digital scale for
individuals below 100 g and to the nearest 10 g using a
weighing scale more than 100 g.

Meetings with stakeholders were held in coordination
with the local government to identify stakeholders based
on their involvement in the fishery (i.e. traders,
processors and fishers). Key informants near traditional
sea cucumber fishery areas (e.g. Barangays Dewey,
Victory and Pilar) were interviewed using stratified
survey questionnaires and unstructured discussions on
site. Focus group discussions (FGD) were undertaken
with a group of young sea cucumber collectors, old
fishermen, and the middlemen traders of Bolinao and
Anda. One-year price records dated June 2006–June
2007 from the sales receipts of a major sea cucumber
trader in Anda were analyzed. Wholesale and retail
buyers in Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown) were also
surveyed to gather and confirm information on product
grading, pricing and insights on trepang trade.

Data handling and analysis

The following formulae were used in the calculation of
population parameters:

Population density per species (D):

D = n
i
 / A

where:
n

i
 = total number of individuals per species

A = total area covered in hectares

Relative abundance per species (% Ab):

% Ab = D /  D 

The Shannon index of general diversity was calculated
using the formula:

H = -S n
i
/N log n

i
/N

where:
n

i
 = importance value for each species (i.e

       number of individuals)
N = total of importance values

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Species richness, distribution, abundance and
density

A total of 35 sea cucumber species were found in the
Bolinao-Anda reef system during the surveys, adding
15 new records to the taxonomic study done in Bolinao,
which reported 28 species (Reyes-Leonardo et al.,
1985). The species inventory based on the surveys
conducted and available literature shown in Table 1
indicates that there are at least 49 species in Bolinao-
Anda reef system. Table 1 also shows the common
names, local names and commercial values of the sea
cucumbers listed. Note that Thelenota ananas, T.
anax, and Stichopus chloronotus were only found as
dried products and four species under the Order
Dendrochirotida are still being identified with the help
of taxonomists.

There are over 170 sea cucumber species in the
Philippines (Clark & Rowe, 1971; Tan Tiu, 1981; Reyes-
Leonardo, 1984; Reyes-Leonardo et al., 1985; Lane et
al., 2000; Kerr et al., 2006). Of these, over 137 species
are present in the South China Sea biogeographic region
including those that are found in Bolinao-Anda reef
system (Reyes-Leonardo et al., 1985; Lane et al., 2000;
this study). Compared to the neighboring reef, the
Hundred Islands in Alaminos, has around 30 species
(Domantay, 1960; Juinio-Meñez et al., unpublished) and
share at least 15 species in common with the present
study. Taxonomic works for sea cucumbers in
Calatagan, Batangas (Pacific side) reported 28 species
(Reyes-Leonardo, 1984), while in Mactan and the other
islands off Cebu (Visayan Sea) reported 27 species
(Tan Tiu, 1981).

In terms of species diversity, the Shannon index for
pooled sampling stations indicated high species diversity
across habitats (1.98-2.50), as well as in the overall
index for Bolinao and Anda, with 2.67 and 2.38,
respectively (Table 2). Most of the sea cucumber
surveys in the Philippines, however, report only number
of species and vary greatly in the total area surveyed
whenever indicated.

The number of species of all aspidochirotid sea
cucumbers (Order Aspidochirotida) varied per station

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12



Olavides, R.D. et al.

4

from 1-12 species with an average of 5 species. The
most species-rich station was Brgy. Victory seagrass
station (12 species), closely followed by Brgy. Pilar
coralline station (11 species) and Panacalan Island
mixed habitat station (11 species). From pooled stations
per habitat, the most species-rich habitats were coralline
stations, closely followed by seagrass stations (Table
2). The MPA sampling stations were not any better

compared to open-access coralline stations in terms of
the number of species and individual sea cucumbers.
In order to clearly establish patterns of species richness
and elucidate occurences of species in the different
habitat types there is a need to employ quantitative
methods of selecting and categorizing sampling stations
in future surveys.

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAMES 
a
 LOCAL NAMES VALUE 

b 

  Order ASPIDOCHIROTIDA 
1 Actinopyga echinites Deepwater Redfish Khaki M 
2 Actinopyga lecanora 

+
  Stonefish Buli-buli M 

3 Actinopyga miliaris + Blackfish Khaki M 
4 Bohadschia argus  Leopardfish Matang-itik, Leopard L 
5 Bohadschia koellikeri 

+
  Mottled SC Lawayan NC 

6 Bohadschia marmorata  Brownspotted Sandfish Bi-ker, Lawayan L 
7 Bohadschia similis 

+
 Brownspotted Sandfish Bi-ker, Lawayan L 

8 Bohadschia vitiensis  Brown Sandfish Lawayan-taba L 
9 Bohadschia sp. “spots” Eye-spot SC Matang-itik L 
10 Holothuria (Acanthotrapeza) coluber Snakefish Balat-aso, Patola rig VL 
11 Holothuria (Cystipus) inhabilis - - NC 
12 Holothuria (Halodeima) atra  Lollyfish Black Beauty L-VL 
13 Holothuria (Halodeima) edulis  Pinkfish Red Beauty, Hotdog VL 
14 Holothuria (Halodeima) pulla + - - NC 
15 Holothuria (Lessonothuria) pardalis - - NC 
16 Holothuria (Lessonothuria) verrucosa  - - NC 
17 Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota  Whitethreadsfish Brown Beauty, Balat Uwak VL 
18 Holothuria (Metriatyla) albiventer  Marten’s SC Rotong, Batunan NC 
19 Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra  Sandfish Putian, Bokloden, Kurtido H-M 
20 Holothuria (Microthele) nobilis  Black Teatfish Susuan, Kiskisan H-M 
21 Holothuria (Microthele) fuscogilva  White Teatfish Susuan, Kiskisan H-M  
22 Holothuria (Platyperona) difficilis - - NC 
23 Holothuria (Selenkothuria) erinacea 

+
 - - NC 

24 Holothuria (Stauropora) fuscocinerea Variegated SC Labuyo, Puyos VL 
25 Holothuria (Stauropora) pervicax Stubborn SC Sunlot, Sunlutan VL 
26 Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola Borrowing SC Rotong NC 
27 Holothuria (Thymiosycia) hilla Tigertail SC Rotong, Batuli VL 
28 Holothuria (Thymiosycia) aff. hilla Epi’s SC Rotong NC 
29 Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens Impatient SC Sunlot NC 
30 Pearsonothuria graeffei Flowerfish Flower VL 
31 Stichopus chloronotus* Greenfish Kwatro Kantos H 
32 Stichopus hermanni Curryfish Gadul, Hanginan H-M 
33 Stichopus horrens Dragonfish, Warty SC Gadul, Hanginan, Daremusak H-M 
34 Stichopus variegatus + Variegated SC Gadul, Hanginan H-M 
35 Stichopus sp. - Gadul, Rotong H-M 
36 Thelenota ananas* Prickly Redfish Pinya-pinya M 
37 Thelenota anax * Amberfish Legs M 

Order DENDROCHIROTIDA 
38 Actinocucumis typicus 

+
 - - NC 

39 Cladolabes schmeltzii + - - NC 
40-43 4 unidentified dendrichirotid species - - NC 

  Order APODIDA 
44 Opheodesoma glabra + Medusan SC Rokosan  
45 Opheodesoma grisea Medusan SC Rokosan NC 
46 Pendekaplectana nigra 

+
 Medusan SC Rokosan NC 

47 Polyplectana kefersteini Medusan SC Rokosan NC 
48 Synapta maculata Medusan SC Rokosan NC 
49 Synaptula media Sponge SC - NC 

+ Reported in Reyes-Leonardo et al. (1985) but not found during the survey; * Found as processed samples only;  
a SC=sea cucumber; b H(high)=P1,000-4000/kg, M(medium)=P500-1,000/kg, L(low)=P100-500/kg, VL(very low)=<P100/kg or rejected; 
NC=Non-commercial 

Table 1.Sea cucumber species inventory for Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan with local names and trade value.



Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

5

The most frequently observed species were Synapta
maculata, Holothuria impatiens, Opheodesoma
grisea, H. leucospilota and H. albiventer (Table 2).
Holothuria scabra, H. fuscocinerea and H. impatiens
were present in all the habitats surveyed. Other species
were observed to have narrow distributions with respect
to habitat type, specifically Pearsonothuria graeffei

in coralline sites, Bohadschia argus, H. inhabilis, and
H. aff. hilla in seagrass sites, and H. coluber in
macroalgae-dominated sites. Holothuria fuscogilva,
which was earlier thought to be depleted to local
extinction, was observed only once in a coralline site in
Brgy. Balingasay MPA. Synaptula media and 4
species of dendrochirotid sea cucumbers (Order

Table 2. Presence, frequency of observation, species richness and species diversity of sea cucumbers in Bolinao
and Anda sampling stations (excluding individuals and species found outside the transects)

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12

SPECIES NAME* 

BOLINAO ANDA 

P
R

E
S

E
N

C
E

 I
N

 
S

A
M

P
L

IN
G

 
S

T
A

T
IO

N
S

 (
%

) 

S
E

A
G

R
A

S
S

  
(5

 s
ta

ti
o

n
s
) 

C
O

R
A

L
 R

E
E

F
  

(6
 s

ta
ti

o
n

s
) 

M
A

C
R

O
A

L
G

A
E

 
(4

 s
ta

ti
o

n
s

) 

S
E

A
G

R
A

S
S

  
(4

 s
ta

ti
o

n
s

) 

M
A

C
R

O
A

L
G

A
E

 
(4

 s
ta

ti
o

n
s

) 

1  Actinopyga echinites ++   ++ ++ 25 
2 Bohadschia argus +     4 

3 B. marmorata + +  + ++ 21 

4  B. vitiensis     + + 8 

5 Bohadschia sp. “spots”  +    4 

6 Holothuria (Acanthotrapeza) coluber   +  + 8 

7 H. (Cystipus) inhabilis +     4 

8 H. (Halodeima) atra ++    + 8 

9 H. (Halodeima) edulis     + 4 

10 H. (Lessonothuria) verrucosa + +    8 

11 H. (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota ++ ++ +  +++ 33 

12 H. (Metriatyla) albiventer ++  ++ +++ + 33 

13 H. (Metriatyla) scabra + ++ + +++  29 

14 H. (Microthele) fuscogilva  +    4 

15 H. (Stauropora) fuscocinerea +++ + + ++ + 33 

16 H. (Stauropora) pervicax +  +  + 13 

17 H. (Thymiosycia) arenicola ++ + +  + 21 

18 H. (Thymiosycia) hilla +  ++   13 

19 H. (Thymiosycia) aff. hilla +     4 

20 H. (Thymiosycia) impatiens + +++ +++ +++ ++ 50 

21 Pearsonothuria graeffei  ++    8 

22 Stichopus hermanni    +  4 

23 S. horrens + +++  + + 25 

24 Dendrochirotid sp. 1  +    4 

25 Dendrochirotid sp. 2  ++    8 

26 Dendrochirotid sp. 3  +    4 

27 Dendrochirotid sp. 4  ++    8 

28 Opheodesoma grisea +++++ ++  + + 38 

29 Polyplectana kefersteini ++++   + + 25 

30 Synapta maculata +++++ ++++ ++++ +++ +++ 79 

31 Synaptula media  +   + 8 

Species Richness 19 17 10 12 17  

Species Diversity 
(Shannon Index) of Aspidochirotes 

2.50 2.01 2.13 1.98 2.19  

2.67 2.38 
 

* Of the 35 species found in Bolinao-Anda reef system, 3 species (Stichopus chloronotus, Thelenota ananas and T. anax) were 
found only as processed samples. 



Olavides, R.D. et al.

6

Dendrochirotida) were found to be aggregating in a
small area in Tomasa Point, Bolinao and were rarely
found elsewhere during the survey. These species of
dendrochirotids tend to aggregate in large numbers, have
limited distribution, and small adult sizes.

The number of aspidochirotid sea cucumber individuals
per species in a site and even in pooled habitats was
generally very low that density estimates per species
were pooled for the whole reef (Table 3).  Estimates
of population densities ranged from 0.3 to 9 ind.ha-1

per species and a total of 63 ind.ha -1 for all
aspidochirotes in the Bolinao-Anda reef. Anda stations
have denser populations compared to Bolinao. The
densities in fished coralline areas and coralline MPAs
were almost identical (46 and 44 individuals has-1,
respectively). While MPAs were expected to have
higher population densities by providing refuge from

fishing, the MPAs sampled varied in the level of
enforcement (e.g. from not guarded to strictly guarded
by stakeholders), and as such, poaching could have
negated the potential effect of closed access habitats
on sea cucumber populations.

Among aspidochirotid sea cucumbers, Holothuria
impatiens, H. albiventer, S. horrens, H. scabra, H.
fuscocinerea and H. hilla have the highest density
with a range of 4-9 ind.ha-1 (Table 3). Although the
minimum population densities for broadcast spawning
sea cucumber species  to reproduce effectively have
not been established, densities less than 100 ind.ha-1  is
considered low, and less than 30 ind.ha -1 may be within
a critical level at which populations will fail to
repopulate (Purcell et al., 2009). The population
densities of sea cucumbers in the Bolinao-Anda reef
may be too sparse to achieve a high probability of

Table 3. Actual counts of aspidochirote sea cucumbers (Order Aspidochirotida), estimates of density and relative
abundances in Bolinao-Anda transect surveys.

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12

RANK     SPECIES 

NUMBER OF IND. DENSITY (IND. HAS-1) 

R
E

L
A

T
IV

E
 

A
B

U
N

D
A

N
C

E
 

(%
) 

 

B
O

L
IN

A
O

 

A
N

D
A

 

P
O

O
L

E
D

 

B
O

L
IN

A
O

 

A
N

D
A

 

P
O

O
L

E
D

 

1 Holothuria impatiens 18 17 35 7.1 14.2 9.3 14.9% 
2 H. albiventer 10 22 32 3.9 18.3 8.5 13.6% 
3 Stichopus horrens 9 17 26 3.5 14.2 6.9 11.1% 
4 H. scabra 10 13 23 3.9 10.8 6.1 9.8% 
5 H. fuscocinerea 11 6 17 4.3 5.0 4.5 7.2% 
6 H. hilla 14 1 15 5.5 0.8 4.0 6.4% 
7 Pearsonothuria graeffei 15 0 15 5.9 0.0 4.0 6.4% 
8 H. leucospilota 9 4 13 3.5 3.3 3.5 5.5% 
9 A. echinites 4 6 10 1.6 5.0 2.7 4.3% 
10 H. arenicola 8 1 9 3.1 0.8 2.4 3.8% 
11 S. hermanni 0 8 8 0.0 6.7 2.1 3.4% 
12 Bohadschia marmorata 3 3 6 1.2 2.5 1.6 2.6% 
13 H. edulis 0 5 5 0.0 4.2 1.3 2.1% 
14 H. coluber 2 2 4 0.8 1.7 1.1 1.7% 
15 H. pervicax 3 1 4 1.2 0.8 1.1 1.7% 
16 H. atra 2 1 3 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.3% 
17 H. rigida 2 1 3 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.3% 
18 B. vitiensis 0 2 2 0.0 1.7 0.5 0.9% 
19 H. verrucosa 2 0 2 0.8 0.0 0.5 0.9% 
20 B. argus 1 0 1 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.4% 
21 Bohadschia sp. “spots” 1 0 1 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.4% 
23 H. fuscogilva 1 0 1 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.4% 

  125 110 235 49.4 91.7 62.9 100 

 



Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

7

fertilization success during spawning events, thus,
affecting contribution the larval supply of sea
cucumbers. At present, the vulnerability of the sea
cucumber stocks to decline is exacerbated by its
unregulated fishery.

Size structure

The majority of the aspidochirotid sea cucumbers found
have mean lengths less than 15 cm (Figure 2). The
legal minimum length imposed in Queensland, Australia
is 15 cm for all species (Bruckner, 2005). This, however,
may not provide enough chance for sea cucumbers to
reproduce before being harvested and did not consider
studies on species-specific size-at-first-maturity (e.g.
Conand, 1993). Based on the species-based size limits
in Papua New Guinea for 17 major species (Bruckner,
2005), the majority of the sea cucumbers in Bolinao

and Anda are undersized and should not be collected,
processed or sold. The low abundance of large,
sexually mature individuals for the main commercial
species H. scabra, S. horrens, A. echinites, and B.
marmorata reflects strong fishing pressure in the area,
and indicates that reproductive potential is low relative
to the reported population density. Despite the low
densities of adult sea cucumbers, the  presence of some
juvenile H. scabra in Cangaluyan station, and numerous
S. horrens in Tondol station suggest that recruitment
persist at least in these areas, although the source of
larvae may be outside the area covered in the survey.

Catch composition, fishing techniques and
fishery profile

There are about 41 commercial species in the
Philippines (NFRDI, unpublished), and 25 of these are

Figure 2. Lengths of commercial sea cucumbers species in Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12



Olavides, R.D. et al.

8

regularly collected for the trepang or dried sea
cucumber product (Schoppe, 2000). Based on
interviews with local processors and traders, 26 species
are considered commercial in Bolinao and Anda: 7 of
high-value, 5 of medium-value and the rest of minor or
no value (Table 1). The combined percentage of “low
value species” (Bohadschia and Holothuria species
with thin body wall), “medium value species”
(Actinopyga and Thelenota species), and “high value
species” (Holothuria species with thick body walls
and Stichopus species) is only 23% (Figure 3). Most
of the sampled commercial species belong to the “very
low value” category, which refers to the “worm-like”
species previously considered non-commercial.

Fishing high-value sea cucumber species such as H.
scabra and S. horrens is mainly done by free-diving
or gleaning. Groups of gleaners typically collect
shallow-water sea cucumbers  in addition to shellfishes,
crabs and seaweeds during low tide in intertidal flats
often by wading or by raking the sediments. Free-divers
and spearfishers equipped with bamboo rafts (balsa),
makeshift goggles and wooden fins, dive to depths of
around 2-5 m to scan the bottom area, overturn rocks
and pick any sea cucumbers in addition to target

Figure 3. Relative abundance of sea cucumbers in Bolinao, Pangasinan per species and value category (non-aspidochirote
species and species with very low abundance not shown but included in the computation)

organisms. Before the widespread depletion of sea
cucumber stocks, air compressors allowed fishers to
efficiently harvest deeper water species such as
Thelenota ananas, T. anax and H. whitmaei.
Dedicated nighttime harvests are also done monthly or
seasonally for predominantly nocturnal species (e.g.
Stichopus spp., Bohadschia spp., and Actinpyga
lecanora).

This multi-species fishery is an important supplemental
livelihood for 90% (n=29) of the respondents in Bolinao,
of which 57% are young males, 29% are adult males,
and 14% are adult females. The young males, mostly
primary school leavers, are free-divers whereas the
adult males are engaged in more varied fishery activities
often using balsa or motorized bangka. The women
augment the income of the family by weaving buri
(palm leaves) sleeping mats and gleaning.

Historical trends in the local fishery

Interviews and focused group discussions with
fishermen in Bolinao (n=16) and Anda (n=18) who
collected sea cucumbers since 30 years ago revealed
major changes in the fishery (Figure 4; Paña et al.,

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12



Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

9

unpublished data). In the early 1970’s, there were only
around 25 fishing households who regularly gleaned
and trawled for sea cucumbers, primarily targeting B.
marmorata, H. fuscopunctata, H. scabra, H. atra,
and S. horrens. Chinese traders who visited the area
stimulated local interest in the fishery, and also taught
some fishers how to process sea cucumbers into
trepang the traditional way. Fishing efforts soon
intensified reaching an average of 100 kg day-1 per
person during its peak in the 1980’s, which coinciding
with the “boom” in sea cucumber fishery exports of
the Philippines (Trinidad-Roa, 1987). Over 35 families
in Brgy. Victory alone regularly harvested high-value
sea cucumbers by the boatload, often by means of
compressor-diving. The target species now included
A. echinites, H. fuscogilva, H. nobilis, T. ananas
and T. anax.

In the 1990’s, however, there was a sharp decline in
catch to an average of 25 kg day-1 per person, and
collection was done twice or thrice a week. Based on
catch landings in Brgy. Pilar in 2002, the average daily
catch per gleaner was 2.55 kg day-1, and total catch
for all gleaners was only 27 kg day-1 (Nievales et al.,
unpublished data). The average monthly catch for H.
scabra in the municipality of Anda, peaked at 109 kg
in 2002 but sharply declined to around 20 kg in 2004,
and has not been able to recover since (Pastor et al.,
2007). Five more lower value species were added to
the list of targeted species, namely: H. leucospilota,
H. coluber, H. fuscocinerea and A. lecanora.
Longtime fishers also note the remarkable decline in
average size of sea cucumbers caught, and their need
to cover more area to make the trip worthwhile. Many
coastal barangays that traditionally collect sea
cucumbers like Brgy. Pilar and Brgy. Victory reported
that income derived from sea cucumber fishing has
become less significant as a means of livelihood.

Overall, the fishery has downgraded from commercial
to artisanal level and is characterized by the collection
of smaller-sized sea cucumbers in an expanding fishing
ground, increasing number species, increasing
proportion of low value types, and a diminishing catch
per effort. Despite the decline of sea cucumber stocks
due to unsustainable fishing practices, the fishery
remains largely unmanaged.

Recent trend in sea cucumber trade

The traditional market flow in Bolinao and Anda is that
fishers sell their catch (for as low as Php 40 kg-1 for
assorted species and size) to local processors-traders
who, in turn, sell dried sea cucumbers to a middlemen
or the satellite branch of a marine products company
in Alaminos City. The price of the product depends on
the species, and “grade” according to size and specific
product standards for appearance, texture, odor, and
hardness based on cursory assessment by traders
(Akamine 2001). The market testing done for Bolinao
and Anda products revealed that most of the medium-
sized H. scabra products were assessed as “Class B”
and priced at Php1,300 kg-1 because of inadequate
cleaning and drying (“Class A” is priced at Php 2,900
kg-1). Although the Binondo, Manila market offers much
higher profit margins for the fishers (Table 4), most of
the local stakeholders who sell directly to wholesale
buyers in Binondo also lose considerable potential
income due to poor product quality. Poorly processed
and small-sized trepangs are especially prone to
downpricing. Alternative direct markets in Binondo
include the authentic Chinese restaurants along Ongpin
St., Arranque wet market where “rehydrated” trepang
is bought anywhere around Php 280-500 kg-1, and
Chinese grocery stores that sell prime grade trepang
for Php 6,000 kg-1.

The price of the high-value species typically fluctuates
every month but eventually leads to a yearly increase.
Based on sales records for Stichopus spp, prices
increase almost monthly for all size grades, with a peak
between February and March coinciding with the
Chinese New Year. Small but steady price increases
are also apparent for low-value species such as
Holothuria coluber, H. edulis, H. fuscocinerea, H.
leucospilota, and H. atra. Strong market pressure on
the unregulated fishery is further reflected by the multi-
level categorization even for the small-sized products
(e.g. sizes “S”, “XS” and “XXS” for H. scabra and A.
echinites) and the shift of proportion of the products
towards the lower value species that are always sold
for less than Php 1,000 kg-1 regardless of processing
quality and size. In any case, premium prices are paid
for large individuals while prices for smaller products
declines disproportionately (Battaglene & Bell, 2006).

Science Diliman (July-December 2010) 22:2, 1-12



Olavides, R.D. et al.

10

Figure 4. Trend of catch per unit of effort for commercial sea cucumbers in Bolinao and Anda, Pangasinan from 1970’s
to present based on 16 respondents from Bolinao and 18 respondents from Anda.

Science Diliman (January-June 2010) 22:1, 1-12

SPECIES  GRADE PRICE PER KG (PHP) 

Scientific Name Trade Name Size grade Size or 
No./kg 

Alaminos, 
Pangasinan 

Binondo, 
Manila 

Stichopus horrens Dudlo, 
Hanginan, 

Gadul, 
Daremusak 

L 3.1 in. 2,280 2,600 
M 2.5-3.0 2,080 2,300 
S 3.0-2.5 1,750 1,700 

XS 1.5-2.0 1,250 1,250 
XXS <1.5 - 1,250 

Class B, XXS <1.5 - 700 
Holothuria scabra Putian, Kurtido 

 
XXL 15 pcs.  - 4,800 
XL 16-26 2,480 4,500 
L 26-35 1,750 3,800 
M 36-45 1,400 2,900 
S 46-60 950 2,300 

XS 61-80 780 2,100 
XXS >80 - 1,400 

Class B, L 26-35 - 1,500 
Class B, M 36-45 950 1,300 
Class B, S 46-60 1000 1,200 

Class B, XS 61-80 - 1,100 

Bohadschia marmorata Lawayan 

L  730 950 
M  700 750 
S  500 500 

XS  - 200 
Holothuria coluber Patola Orig Assorted  540 600 
Holothuria atra Black Beauty M-L  - 400-600 
  S or Assorted  180 180 
Holothuria leucospilota Brown Beauty Assorted  250 - 410 250-420 
Pearsonothuria graeffei Tres Cantos S-L  - 70-240 
  Assorted  170 - 
Holothuria fuscocinerea Labuyo, Puyos L  - 180 

  S or Assorted  100 - 115 130 

 

Table 4.  Price list of common commercial sea cucumbers from wholesale buyers in Alaminos and Binondo.



Assessment of the sea cucumber resource

11

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

As in many parts of the Philippines where surveys have
been conducted, the sea cucumber resources in the
Bolinao-Anda reef system is characterized by high
species diversity. Thirty-five species recorded in this
study, and when combined with previous species
inventories in the area, a total of 49 species can be
found in Bolinao-Anda reef system. New species or
records are likely to be found in often overlooked or
less known taxa such as the dendrochirotids. Species
distributions in the habitat types suggest habitat
association in several species such as Pearsonothuria
graeffei, Holothuria inhabilis and the
dendrochirotids.

On the other hand, population densities of aspidochirotid
species including high-value species (e.g. Holothuria
scabra and Stichopus horrens) fall critically below
the level for fertilization success during spawning, which
could indicate that the area is a poor larval source for
sea cucumbers. Size structure of major commercial
species indicates strong fishing pressure. Interviews
provided corroborating anecdotal accounts of the
fishery’s decline since the 1980s due to overfishing.
Furthermore, potential income is not realized due to
poor post-harvest and trade practices. Taken together,
these are clear signs of an overexploited fishery that is
likely to collapse without proper management
intervention.

We, therefore, recommend the following management
strategies based on the findings and insights from the
surveys undertaken in Bolinao and Anda:

1) Protection and monitoring of critical nursery areas
where juveniles of high-value species were found
(e.g. Brgy. Tondol and Cangaluyan);

2) Maintenance of the pilot sea cucumber ranching sites
established in Bolinao and Anda as reproductive
reserves for sea cucumbers and supplemental
livelihood for the stakeholders;

3) Explore sea cucumber restocking using wild stocks
in the Bolinao Seagrass Demonstration Site to help
rebuild a multi-species community of sea cucumbers;

4) Restrict and sanction the gathering or processing of
any live sea cucumber below 350 g or 20 cm in length,

and the trading of less than 5 cm dried sea cucumber
(or over 60 pieces per kilogram);

5) Establish a registry, fishing permit and catch
monitoring system in the municipal level in order to
gather long-term fishery data, and encourage
compliance to regulations;

6) Improve product value of trepang through post-
harvest support and quality control at the municipal
level for fishers and processors;

7) Integration of the recommended strategies for sea
cucumber management into municipal fisheries
management plan and Municipal Fisheries Ordinance
following the adaptive management approach.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We are grateful for the cooperation of the Municipality
of Bolinao and Anda, and SMMV and SBMA people’s
organization; Dr. Miguel Fortes and the BSDS Project
for the satellite-derived habitat map; Dr. Steven Purcell
and Dr. Ruth Gamboa for the helpful review and
comments; Tirso Catbagan and Christopher Ragos for
assistance in the field; Marie Antonette Paña for
providing inputs on the socio-economic aspects; Dr.
Alexander Kerr for providing taxonomic references;
and DOST-PCAMRD for funding this study.  This
paper was presented at the 10th PAMS National
Symposium held in Davao City in October 2009. This
is Marine Science Institute Contribution No. 398.

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