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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
Moderate growth and limited movement of the prized golden sandfish sea cucumber, Holothuria lessoni
Aquaculture and fisheries, Vol.11(4), pp.719-728
07/2026
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Abstract
Fishery management measures and culture-based stocking programs are adapted depending on animal life-history traits and mobility. However, many heavily exploited species lack data on movement and life-history parameters, creating uncertainty around fishery harvest limits and captive-release programs. We undertook a small-scale study at a 13-ha reef flat site in New Caledonia on the growth and movement of one of the most commercially valuable tropical species, Holothuria lessoni. In 2023, we photographically marked, measured and weighed 86 individuals. We returned to the site 13 months later, capturing, photographing, measuring and weighing 77 individuals in a broader search. Twenty-two of these individuals were confirmed recaptures, which gained, on average, just 2% of their body weight (31 g). Most recaptured individuals had a small home range (<20 m), though this might be an underestimate as most individuals were not recaptured. Growth modelling using the ELEFAN routine, based on length-frequencies of all 163 individuals, indicated a moderate growth rate (K = 0.26 y−1) to adulthood. Natural mortality rate was fairly low (M = 0.40 y−1). The modelled growth curve suggests that H. lessoni reaches sexual maturity at 4.5 years, and has an average lifespan of 15 years. The moderate lifespan and limited dispersion indicate greater vulnerability to over-exploitation than previously estimated. These findings should be valuable for re-evaluating fishery harvest models and gauging this species’ productivity and dispersal in culture-based stocking programs.
Details
- Title
- Moderate growth and limited movement of the prized golden sandfish sea cucumber, Holothuria lessoni
- Creators
- Lea A.F. Djenidi - Southern Cross UniversitySteven W. Purcell - Southern Cross UniversityAntoine Gilbert - Ginger-Soproner (New Caledonia, Noumea)Hugues Gossuin - Aquarium des Lagons (New Caledonia, Noumea)
- Publication Details
- Aquaculture and fisheries, Vol.11(4), pp.719-728
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.; BEIJING
- Grant note
- The fieldwork in this research was partially funded by the Southern Cross University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and theAquarium Des Lagons Nouvelle-Cal´edonie funded the costs for the vessel.
- Identifiers
- 991013357509402368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Shanghai Ocean University.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article