The Current Status of Populations of the Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) in the Far Eastern Marine Reserve

Resumo

The spatial distribution of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) in the Far Eastern Marine Reserve was studied using scuba. The abundance, size composition, population density, and distribution of A. japonicus were determined. The population density of this species at the mainland coast was higher than in waters around islands in the reserve. Seasonal movements of sea cucumber were observed: in autumn large individuals migrate to greater depths, but at the beginning of summer they move to shallow water. The average sizes of individuals and population density of sea cucumber in the reserve do not differ from those in unprotected areas of Peter the Great Bay. A comparative analysis of our own and literature data showed that the current estimates of sea cucumber population density in the reserve are 5−7 times lower than estimates for the period before the illegal fishing of sea cucumber began in Primorye.