Population monitoring of Holothuria scabra (sandfish) on Warrior Reef, Torres Strait 2004

This current research project was based on a population surveys of sandfish on Warrior Reef in January 2004. Sandfish density actually decreased to similar levels as in 1998, when the fishery was closed. While most of the decrease occurred in the juvenile sandfish population, the adult sandfish population had also declined since the previous survey in 2002. This result was quite unexpected given the relatively strong breeding cohort evident in 2002.

本项研究基于2004年1月对勇士礁（Warrior Reef）海域沙海参（sandfish）的种群调查。结果显示，沙海参种群密度已下降至与1998年渔业禁渔期相当的水平。尽管密度下降主要集中于幼龄沙海参群体，但自2002年上一次调查以来，成体沙海参种群也出现了衰减。鉴于2002年已观测到较强的繁殖同龄群，这一结果完全出人意料。