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<p>The sea cucumber fishery provides an important livelihood for coastal communities in the Philippines, but is increasingly threatened by overexploitation, habitat degradation, and limited monitoring of wild stocks. This study employed a citizen science approach to assess sea cucumber composition, diversity, relative abundance, and density in two artisanal fishing grounds in Mindanao—Barobo, Surigao del Sur, and Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay—from August 2024 to July 2025.&#xa0;Fifteen trained local sea cucumber gatherers per site conducted monthly surveys using the transect–quadrat method, deploying five 50-m transects with 1 × 1&#xa0;m quadrats at 10-m intervals.&#xa0;Fourteen sea cucumber species were recorded across both sites, with higher species richness in Olutanga (12 species) than in Barobo (9 species). <i>Bohadschia marmorata</i> showed the highest relative abundance and density at both sites, indicating dominance in the community. The highly valued <i>Holothuria scabra</i> was also more abundant in Olutanga (17.73%, 4.46 ind/m²) than in Barobo (5.95%, 0.60 ind/m²). Diversity indices further showed higher Shannon diversity (1.78) and Simpson’s inverse index (5.18), and lower Berger–Parker dominance (0.26) in Olutanga, suggesting a more diverse and balanced community structure. Seasonal environmental variability, particularly monsoonal periods combined with fishing pressure, likely influenced temporal changes in diversity. Most participants were middle-aged gatherers with intermediate fishing experience (5–10 years), ensuring reliable local ecological knowledge.&#xa0;Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of participatory monitoring to support coastal conservation and fisheries management in the region by generating local evidence for planning, protecting resources, and sustainably managing sea cucumber fisheries.</p>

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Empowering communities in citizen science to assess the diversity and density of sea cucumbers in two harvesting sites in Mindanao

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Elgen Arriesgado,
  • Marnelle Sornito,
  • Josuah Zalsos,
  • Flordeline Cadeliña,
  • Clinton Jr Llaneta,
  • Jomar Besoña

摘要

The sea cucumber fishery provides an important livelihood for coastal communities in the Philippines, but is increasingly threatened by overexploitation, habitat degradation, and limited monitoring of wild stocks. This study employed a citizen science approach to assess sea cucumber composition, diversity, relative abundance, and density in two artisanal fishing grounds in Mindanao—Barobo, Surigao del Sur, and Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay—from August 2024 to July 2025. Fifteen trained local sea cucumber gatherers per site conducted monthly surveys using the transect–quadrat method, deploying five 50-m transects with 1 × 1 m quadrats at 10-m intervals. Fourteen sea cucumber species were recorded across both sites, with higher species richness in Olutanga (12 species) than in Barobo (9 species). Bohadschia marmorata showed the highest relative abundance and density at both sites, indicating dominance in the community. The highly valued Holothuria scabra was also more abundant in Olutanga (17.73%, 4.46 ind/m²) than in Barobo (5.95%, 0.60 ind/m²). Diversity indices further showed higher Shannon diversity (1.78) and Simpson’s inverse index (5.18), and lower Berger–Parker dominance (0.26) in Olutanga, suggesting a more diverse and balanced community structure. Seasonal environmental variability, particularly monsoonal periods combined with fishing pressure, likely influenced temporal changes in diversity. Most participants were middle-aged gatherers with intermediate fishing experience (5–10 years), ensuring reliable local ecological knowledge. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of participatory monitoring to support coastal conservation and fisheries management in the region by generating local evidence for planning, protecting resources, and sustainably managing sea cucumber fisheries.