3. Sea cucumbers/Holothuria are of the class
Holothuroidea under phylum Echinodermata.
Consists of 6 orders, 25 families, 200 genera
and over 1200 to 1400 species
Much research has been done on Sea
Cucumbers but mainly focused on its
commercial value and how to sustain it for
further exploitation
But there are still gaps in the scientific
knowledge of their reproduction cycles,
larvae, etc..
4. This study was mainly focused on their
spawning behaviours and the months
spawning occurred around Kavieng, New
Ireland Province
This study was conducted at a site in New
Ireland Province: Sivasat, Ward 4 of the
Kavieng Urban LLG.
5. Terms to note in this study: Holothurians/Sea
Cucumber (live) and Beche-de-mer (dead)
Note also: time did not allow for the study to
fully achieve its potential for the study started
way behind schedule. Therefore the results
shown are what has been noted down since
the start until recently.
6. Build a sturdy pen
Stock the pen with species of sea cucumber
to be studied
Study their growth rates
Observe their spawning behaviours
Study larvae specimens of the different
species
And generally find suitable ways to increase
the stock numbers around the project site
7. Cocoa Mesh Wire-900 mm by 30 metres
Shade cloth-30 metres
Tie wire x 1 coil-1.6 mm
Sledge hammer
Rods x4- 16 mm
Temperature meter
Casio fx-100MS scientific calculator
Waterproof data board
9. CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT
Rods cut up into 3 parts
Usage of the sledge hammer, the rods were
hammered into the sea bed.
An outline of a pen of 7 m x 3 m
Cocoa mesh wire unrolled around
Shade cloth measured, cut and unrolled
around the mesh wire set in place by tie wires
10. STOCKING OF THE PROJECT SITE
Specimens were collected from the
surrounding waters of Sivasat and the
mangrove area there.
COLLECTION AND ANALYZING OF THE DATA
Two sets of data was collected during the
month of May
A 3 m radius search was conducted before
each set of data was collected
11. A measuring table was used but discarded
along with the data collected due to
inconsistency of data being collected
Raw data was recorded down and entered
into MS Excel in a table form
Mean total of circumference and length of
each species was calculated using Auto
Average
Percentage of the mean was then calculated
12. Comparing the mean length to the mean
circumference, a table was formed for each
category and a column graph formed.
Spawning was observed once and the water
temperature with the depth was recorded
down
Three measurements were taken of each
category and the mean of each was calculated
from them
20. The eco-system inside the pen as much as
possible mimicked the eco-system outside.
Species of sea cucumber identified using
Pacific Island Sea Cucumber and beche-de-
mer ID cards which were produced by the SPC
Positive changes in the growth and
development of marine plants and organisms
in the pen.
Mobile organisms including the specimens of
species of holothurians were able to escape
21. The weight of each individual of different
species was not collected to due lack of
resources
Attempts of measuring their growth rate was
made but proved Conand in 1990 publication
of Fisheries Technical Paper No. 272.2-FAO
correct. Growth is very difficult to measure
Species such as Blackfish, Deepwater Redfish,
Sandfish positively changed in their
circumference measurement but can be due
to human error
22. For in their length percentage, it is the Lollyfish,
Sandfish and Snakefish that changes positively
Spawning peaks around the months of November
and December when the water is warm and
usually the North-westerly wind blows
Spawning occurred at the site on the
13/06/2012. the water temperature: 30.9°C with
the water at an average depth of 67 cm. Larvae
specimens was not captured due to unfortunate
passing away of diploma technical officer.
23. More attention given to scientific research of
our marine eco-system and their
components. Their day to day living
especially.
These time allocated to such activities such
as Diploma 3rd year IT can be an advantage to
the scientific fisheries knowledge of PNG
marine and aquatic systems if properly
planned
24. The major objectives were not fully achieved
Steps were taken to ensure a more consistent
collection of data as possible but human
error interfered
Much was learnt though, experience wise
Growth rate was very difficult to measure
though there are ways to measure but it
would quite expensive
25.
26. My supervisory team under the Commercial Fishing
Operations (CFO): Mr L Pomat, Mr J Bagat, Mr S
Kanawi, Mr K Mai, Mr G Yowai, Mr M Komai and the
program leader, Mr J Oswyn
Mr L Pomat & family
The National Fisheries College
Diploma Office team of The National Fisheries
College
And my fellow colleagues: Ms P Hombhanje, Mr P
Kanawi, Mr G Maiva, Mr R Esi, Mr B Rero, Mr A Goiye,
Ms M Andrew, Ms M Kelokelo, Mr R Daniel, Mr R
Harangu, Ms M Ovasuru, Mr C Molai, Ms J Kalo, Mr H
Meria, Ms M Simwale and Mr A Kamaram