Present Status of Holothurians (Echinodermata) in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar - A Case Study

Holothurians are commercially important echinoderms, included under Schedule- I category of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The present status of their density, biomass, diversity, distribution and standing stock has been studied from 18 stations along Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region. Apart from that the primary and secondary productivities of these regions were also estimated. It is revealed that the population of holothurians was drastically reduced especially Holothuria scabra and Holothuria spinifera as they give high-quality Beche-de-mer. Holothuria atra is the only species predominantly found at all the stations of study. This paper also discusses the overexploitation of these resources and possible measures to conserve them.