Density and Size Distribution of the Commercial Beche-de-mer, Actinopyga echinites (Jaeger, 1833) in Cabgan, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.

Actinopyga echinites are among the commercially exploited sea cucumbers; however, limited studies hinder the management interventions for the sustainability of the resource. This study investigates the density and size distribution of A. echinites populations in Cabgan Island, Barobo, Surigao del Sur from March-August 2021 with two stations (shallow seagrass beds as Station 1 and algal flats as Station 2) having three plots (100 m²) laid as monitoring stations. The results revealed the population density of A. echinites ranged from 567-2,567 ind/ha with a mean of 1,572 ± 225 ind/ha in Station 1 and 733-2,400 ind/ha and a mean of 1,389 ± 178 ind/ha in Station 2. Significant differences were only observed across months in each station (P = 0.00) and their interaction between months and stations (P = 0.01). A. echinites had a mean length of 7.58 ± 0.26 cm and weight of 31.39 ± 1.62 g for Station 1 and 7.84 ± 0.47 cm and 39.01 ± 3.91 g for Station 2. Specimens in Station 2 had a greater length and significantly heavier weight than in Station 1 (P = 0.00). Across months, significant differences were recorded for the specimen's length in Station 1 and weight for both stations. The length of A. echinites ranged from 4-12 cm and 4-13.5 cm in Stations 1 and 2, respectively, and weight of 5-129 g in both stations. The highest frequencies were recorded at 7 cm in both stations and shifted to 9 cm. Weight distributions showed the highest frequencies in 35 g in the two stations. The present study shows that the population is still abundant and is more influenced by the sampling months than the stations. The species are smaller compared to other studies and might exhibit habitat preferences. Weight size distribution varied across months and could be related to their reproduction. The study provides significant insights needed for this species' conservation and fishery management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]