Species
|
California (or giant red) sea cucumber, Parastichopus californicus, and warty sea cucumber, Parastichopus parvimensis |
Life history (biology, habitat, range) |
CA sea cuc ranges Baja CA to AK from low intertidal to depths of 300’; max length 24”; moves average of 12’ per day
warty sea cuc ranges Baja CA to Monterey Bay but rarely north of Pt. Conception from low intertidal to depths of 90’; length 12-16”
Broadcast spawners, partially synchronous, no spawning aggregations
Visceral atrophy in both sexes annually in the fall
Slow growing with maturity at 4-8 years |
Stock assessment status |
Unknown |
Vulnerability |
None known
CI studies show mean density of warty sea cucumber in 16 national park sites decreasing 1990-2000, while dive fishery catches from some of these sites increased |
Protected/declared species interactions |
Unknown; unlikely |
Gear types |
Dive and trawl since 1978 |
Gear specifications |
Individual dive permit required; at least one person aboard must have cuc permit for trawl |
Associated conservation concerns |
Unknown |
Management, commercial |
Jurisdiction(s) |
Mixed Legislature/ Commission (articles operative through 2010) |
FMP |
No FMP – but included as priority for DFG |
Code sections |
FGC §8405 |
Restricted access |
RA since 1992-93 season
Transferable within permit type with documented previous landings
Max diving 114; Max trawl 36 |
TAC |
No
Average landings weight was 636,400 lbs. for 1997-2007
2006 commercial landings weight was 474,400 lbs for $599,007 (see graphs below) |
Current seasons, size limits, other restrictions |
Logbook requirement (trawl on shrimp/prawn log; or individual dive log) |
Fishery closures/ MPAs |
|
Proposed regulations |
None |
Recreational component |
Nothing significant – lack of interest/demand |
Regulations |
Prohibited for take in depths less than 20 feet |
Social context |
Participation statewide |
2007 – 86 dive permits issued; 18 trawl permits issued |
Participation by area |
Majority of landings in Santa Barbara and LA – some in San Diego, Morro Bay, Bodega Bay |
Fishing and trade organizations |
|
Seafood industry context |
Product forms |
Mainly boiled, dried, salted for export; or in some cases frozen, pickled, or live
Processed forms can sell wholesale $20/lb |
Seafood selector status |
N/A |
MSC certification status |
N/A |
Potential for value added |
|
Miscellaneous |
Sources |
DFG Marine Region 2001. California’s Living Marine Resources: A Status Report. Sea cucumbers http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/status/sea_cucumbers.pdf |
