Torres Strait Beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) sustainability workshop 2005 - a collaborative approach (T1.13)

Task leader: Mr Sascha Taylor, Australian Fisheries Management Authority

In a major initiative, AFMA Torres Strait Fisheries and CSIRO Marine Research are planning a two-day technical workshop to be held in three island communities (Yorke, Darnley and Murray) in eastern Torres Strait in early 2005, before the next scheduled CSIRO sea cucumber survey within those waters. It is envisaged that the workshop will:

• Outline the current management arrangements in the fishery
• Explain the principles of sustainable exploitation and illustrate sea cucumbers' susceptibility to overharvesting using examples from the Torres Strait sandfish and Queensland East coast black teatfish and;
• Explain and demonstrate the processes/methodologies (sample design, field sampling and calculating Total Allowable Catches) used to survey beche-de-mer stocks and assess the status of the stocks.

Importantly, for each of the above themes, we are proposing to have a feedback session where traditional inhabitants could input into the current knowledge, techniques for sampling and future management strategies - an important aspect that would have broader applications to marine resources in Torres Strait. To conclude the workshop we are planning a simple hands-on exercise to demonstrate field sampling methods and measuring techniques.