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28 December 2020 Survey on the Current Status of Small-Scale Artisanal Sea Cucumber Fishing in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam
Ly Van Khanh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Tran Dac Dinh
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Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the status of small-scale artisanal sea cucumber fishing around the islands of Phu Quoc, Nam Du, and Hai Tac, located in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. A total of 90 sea cucumber fishers were randomly interviewed from October 2018 to March 2019. Results indicate that most fishers (96.7%) consider sea cucumber fishing as an extra income and use simple fishing methods such as diving (free diving and snorkeling), gleaning, and scoop nets. Catch composition (% whole wet weight) comprises five species, of which low- and medium-value species are most commonly harvested, including Holothuria leucospilota (39.5%–58.2%) and Stichopus spp. (29.7%–48.4%), followed by Holothuria atra (7.3%–10.9%) and two high-value species that are rarely found, that is, Holothuria scabra (2.6%–6.6%) and Holothuria nobilis (1.2%–1.6%). Current catch rates for an average fishing trip are 25.8–37.6 kg wet weight per diver, which has declined by 60%–95% over the past 10 y, indicating heavy overexploitation. Currently, the exploitation of sea cucumber in Kien Giang has encountered some difficulties, such as unusual weather, the drastic depletion of high-value stocks, and unstable selling price. This information will be useful for further research related to planning effective management programs for sea cucumber fisheries in the region.

Ly Van Khanh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, and Tran Dac Dinh "Survey on the Current Status of Small-Scale Artisanal Sea Cucumber Fishing in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam," Journal of Shellfish Research 39(3), 723-730, (28 December 2020). https://doi.org/10.2983/035.039.0318
Published: 28 December 2020
KEYWORDS
catch composition
fishing method
Kien Giang
overexploitation
sea cucumber
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