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¹ Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Pesquerías y Biología Marina

The goal of this chapter was to evaluate whether the fishery of the four most important sea cucumber species in México could attain sustainability. Based on information obtained from the literature, catch logs, official reports from fisheries authorities, and unpublished data, we tested the effect of exploitation patterns through simulation scenarios to determine which species exemplify the conditions for long-term sustainable exploitation. Data included population monitoring, fishery assessments and effort, bioeconomics, biological aspects, population dynamics, conservation, and management regulations. The results showed that all species arehighly sensitive to fishing mortality (F) levels. When F and effort (number of boats or fishers) increased, biomass and cost-benefit ratio showed a sharp decline, with the fishery becoming nonprofitableand unsustainable in only a few years. This was strongly related to life-history traits, which make holothuroids vulnerable to overfishing and recovery. Other aspects involved differences in economic benefits between exporters, stakeholders, and fishers, the latter sometimes turning to illegal activities due to the low income they receive. Also, the lack of experience of authorities regardingfisheries analysis and management sometimes favored an unwanted increase in licenses and boats, contributing to the collapse of the fishery in many localities on both sides (Pacific and Atlantic) of thecountry. Moreover, climate change scenarios should be considered when providing licenses, as many species may be sensitive to fluctuating environmental factors. In conclusion, it is improbablethat Mexican sea cucumber fisheries will attain sustainability under the current exploitation parameters. We recommend continuing theefforts in aquaculture, restocking some areas, and generating additiona scientific data. Strict control of licenses and effort levels, maintenance of quotas based on population monitoring, enforcementof the minimum catch size, reproductive-period bans (no catch during the reproductive period), and no-take zones seem essential. If those were to be fulfilled, sustainability might still be possible.

Palabras clave: Echinoderms; Holothuroids; overfishing; Management

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