Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2005

Composition, abundance and utilization of gastropods around Sanipaan Shoal were investigated using the transect-quadrat method. Samplings were done during low tide at daytime for one year. A total of 13 genera identified: the five most abundant of which are Cypraea, Cronia, Littorina, Strombus and Columbella. The first transect had the most number of genera because of its shallow depth and abundant sea grass and seaweed microhabitat. Cypraea was present in all transects and in all sampling months except January. Three genera were utilized by the local people for own consumption or market: Cypraea (?sigay?/?bulalo?), Dolabella (?dunsol? and ?lokot?), and Strombus (?aninikad?). The local people acknowledged that there are more harvesters during weekends than during weekdays and those gleaners do not observe any size and catch limit. Some specific recommendations on the sustainability of gastropods in the shoal are: (a) educate gleaners that ?lokot? are Dolabella eggs and not their feces, (b) observe size limit by sparing the juveniles, and (c) avoid the use of the rake or ?karas? that destroys the sea grasses