Dissanayake, D.C.T. <br/><br/>
Abundance, distribution and some biological aspects of Holothuria edulis off the northwest coast of Sri Lanka 

 - Sri Lanka,  NARA,  2011, 
 - 39-44p. 
 - SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin #31   ; Vol.13 .
<br/><br/> The stock status of Holothuria edulis off the north­ west coast of Sri Lanka was estimated by surveying an area of 1,779 km2 (using an underwater visual census technique) in October 2009. Five hundred sampling sites were randomly selected and sur­ veyed. The estimated mean density was 122 ± 365 ind ha1 while the standing stock biomass was 1,724 t. Uneven distribution of H. edulis was observed within survey sites and H. edulis was reported in most habitats, including seagrass beds, coral reefs, .open sandy bottom areas and macroalagae-rich areas. The population was dominated by a 16.5 cm (mid-length) length class, and asexual reproduction was promising during the survey time. The find­ ings of this study can be used to develop a proper management plan for the sustainable exploitation of this resource in the future.<br/>