Population monitoring of Holothuria scabra (sandfish) on Warrior Reef, Torres Strait 2010

A relative abundance survey of sandfish, Holothuria scabra on Warrior Reef was carried out in February 2010. We surveyed 127 sites during the survey, including 70 on Warrior Reef, 30 on Dungeness Reef, 7 on Zagai Island and 20 on Iama Island. The densities of sandfish from the survey were compared to previous surveys undertaken in 1995/96, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004.

Survey densities were found to be at similar levels to 2004, and again were ~80% less than observed in 1995/96; at which time the population was considered to be overexploited.

The purpose of the survey was to monitor the recovery of this population after severe depletion during the 1990's and to recommend future management strategies.