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

The abundance distribution, and resource uses of echinoderm species in Sanipaan Shoal were determined. Six permanent stations were established and surveyed once a month during low tide at daytime. A total of 29 species were identified, the most abundant of which is Ophiocoma scolopendrina while the least abundant sepcies is holothurian pulla. Species richness was highest at 2. 24 in May and lowest at 1.38 in September. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index for May was likewise high at 2.11 and for September was low at 1.63. of the four classes represented, Class Ophiuroidea had the most number of individuals while Class Holothuroidea had the least. From the survey of echinoderm uses. Holothuria atra, Holothuria scabra, tripneuestes gratilla, Salmacis sphaeroides are collected for home consumption and/or extra income. Gleaners come daily but are heavy on weekends. The volume catch of these gleaners was found way to be above the surface density of the echinoderms. The absence of any regulation on fish catch in the shoal encourages indiscriminate harvesting which in the long term could take a toll in the sustainability of the wild stock