AACL Bioflux, 2014, Volume 7, Issue 3. http://www.bioflux.com.ro/aacl 194 AACL BIOFLUX Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation International Journal of the Bioflux Society The Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) of Palawan, Philippines 1,2 Jean Beth S. Jontila, 1 Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco, 1 Jaysee A. Matillano 1 Department of Fisheries, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippines University – Puerto Princesa Campus, Rafols Road, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines; 2 Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo, Philippines. Corresponding author: J. B. S. Jontila, jbjontila@gmail.com Abstract. Sea cucumbers are among the heavily exploited invertebrates in the Philippines that are not regulated due to limited scientific information needed to support the development of management measures. This study was therefore conducted to generate information on sea cucumber species in Palawan, Philippines. Sixteen sites covering different habitats (intertidal flats, seagrass beds, mangrove areas and coral reefs) were surveyed for the occurrence of sea cucumbers. The survey was done through walking, snorkeling and diving using the Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA). Gathering of sea cucumbers together with fishers was also conducted to document other species that might have been missed during the independent survey. A sample of each species was collected and photographed after relaxation. Samples were then preserved either in 10% buffered formalin solution or 95% ethanol for archiving. The survey has recorded 44 species under family Caudinidae (1), Holothuriidae (26), Stichopodidae (16) and Synaptidae (1). Twenty-three are newly reported in the province and 36 are harvested for trading and local consumption. It was evident that Palawan harbors high diversity of sea cucumbers but collection is heavy also and unregulated. Key Words: trepang, species composition, distribution, Palawan, Philippines. Introduction. Sea cucumbers are among the heavily fished invertebrates in tropical regions (Conand 2006; Choo 2008; Hasan & Abd El-Rady 2012). They are harvested mainly for the production of trepang – a dried body wall of sea cucumber that is considered as a prime Chinese delicacy (Conand 1989; Schoppe 2000a; Akamine 2002; Gamboa et al 2004; Toral-Granda et al 2008; Purcell 2010). Sea cucumbers are also used in the production of various pharmaceutical products (Choo 2008; Bordbar et al 2011). They are ecologically important too for they enhance the ocean’s productivity through recycling of sediments, bioturbation (Miller & Pawson 1990; Uthicke & Klumpp 1997; Uthicke 2001; Wolkenhauer et al 2010; Lampe 2013) and by serving as biofilters (Conand 2006). Globally, there is a growing demand for trepang as indicated by its increasing trade value despite of the general decline in the volume of production (Gamboa et al 2004; Akamine 2005). Such demand has led to excessive harvesting and local depletion of some high-valued species of sea cucumbers (Brown et al 2010; Purcell 2010). Many islands in the Pacific like Solomon Islands, Cook Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Palao, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Tuvalu and Tokelau have declared closure of their sea cucumber fishery for the stocks to recover (Pakoa & Bertram 2013). Australia, Indonesia and Egypt also had declining populations of sea cucumbers (Uthicke 2004; Hasan & Abd El-Rady 2012). In the Philippines, sea cucumbers are heavily collected also. The country was in fact identified as the only sea cucumber hotspot in Asia for its high species diversity which is threatened by overfishing (Choo 2008; Toral-Granda et al 2008). The overharvesting of sea cucumbers in the country and the need to manage its fishery has long been emphasized by Trinidad-Roa (1987) but until today, no concrete regulations