Sea Cucumbers Management To ensure sustainable resource management to allow long term resource usage Combination of data and cooperation and understanding between fisherman, merchants, communities and government Many forms of management that can be undertaken to attain sustainability of this industry All based on correct information through sound data collection programs (in situ and through lands fishers, export etc) Involve participation of all stakeholders in all aspects of management

Sea Cucumbers Management Management plans should be species specific and developed before a fisheries is open. All Management plans need to be supported by Regulations, Policies and public awareness. Management plan include Total closure for extended periods (used when stock populations have been over exploited) Seasonal closures (normally based on breeding seasons of stocks) Habitat or location closures (MPA etc) Size limitations (certain size collections only) Gear restrictions (banning dredging, SCUBA bombs)

Sea Cucumbers Management Management plan continue Limit number of fisherman or boats Limit numbers of sea cucumbers allow to be collected Control measures on export Be flexible, adaptive and utilise a number of management tools for each species Best management plans only as good as awareness, acceptance and enforcement

Sea Cucumbers Management Management plan should be conservative Vulnerable species to over exploitation Major threat is loss of breeding populations and associated habitats. Species and their habitats should be protected Should be incorporated into broad scale marine and fisheries management plans Community awareness, compliance and enforcement are perquisites

Multi Species Fishery

Fisheries Information Multi species fishery – many species fished together Well dispersed, varied habitats Easy access on snorkel or walking Oldest commercial fishery Boom and bust cycle Fishers- who are they? Processors and exporters – who are they? Quality of product Resources, catch, price information Rising demand and price of product Current management systems in not well aligned

Fisheries Managers Understand the fishery Know which information are important for management Coordinate the effort of other partners Aggregate and organize relevant information Present information to decision makers Advice on which part of the measures to be regulated Development of fishery management plans – linkages with regulations, enforcement – compliance. Education, Awareness Stakeholders

Sea Cucumbers Management Current status of species in Yemen unknown Appears certain species are over fished within waters associated with Yemen (trend in most nations currently harvesting sea cucumbers) Lack of species specific data Over fishing signs Reduced size of individuals collected, Reduced numbers caught, Increasing CPUE Further distance traveled to collect Lack of species specific data Management Difficult