live or fresh (Uthicke and Benzie 2003; Uthicke et al. 2004). Concerned with the
illegal fishery of I. fuscus in the GMR, Toral-Granda (2005) studied the shapes and
combination of microscopic spicules from the skeletal components in the body wall
and tube feet of I. fuscus. Spicules are shaped like tables and C-shaped rods in the
body wall and perforate supporting tables in the tube feet plates and perforate
supporting tables. This provides a means to diminish the illegal trade in this species,
and support conservation efforts. Processed I. fuscus looks similar to some other
species and can be almost impossible to distinguish from them. This includes S.
horrens, which is harvested illegally together with I. fuscus (Arellano 2004). This
methodology can be used in a quick, precise and easy identification. It is costeffective and can be done in a timely manner by custom officers to distinguish this
species from others.
Isostichopus fuscus has been intensively fished along the mainland and around
the Galápagos Islands. Therefore its populations have thus been severely depleted
over the past decade. Mercier et al. (2004) first attempted to breed I. fuscus in landbased installations on the coast of Ecuador. They studied spawning, fertilization,
larval rearing, disease control and juvenile growth. Data pooled from monthly
trials conducted over 3 years indicate that, under optimal conditions, juveniles can
be grown to a length of ca. 8 cm in length in 3.5 months. The survival rate is
typically between 30 and 50 %. Furthermore, preliminary experiments showed
that growth of young I. fuscus in abandoned shrimp ponds is a promising option.
Overall, this study demonstrates that I. fuscus can be reared in captivity. Thus, this
provides an alternative to fisheries, or a way to maintain sustainable harvests and
eventually contribute to the restoration of the natural populations.
6.5 Threats
6.5.1 Anthropogenic and Environmental Effects
The fuel tanker Jessica grounded on Shiavioni reef at the entrance of Wreck Bay,
San Cristóbal Island (Galápagos Islands) on 16 January 2001. The vessel carried
approximately 240,000 gallons of fuel oil consisting of 160,000 gallons of Diesel
Oil #2 (DO#2) and 80,000 gallons of Intermediate Fuel Oil 120 (IFO 120, or
bunker fuel). By 29
th January, most of the remaining 180,000 gallons of fuel oil
(75,000 gallons of IFO 120 and 105,000 gallons of DO#2) had escaped from the
hull and dispersed to waters within the archipelago. The results of the Galápagos
Coastal Oil Survey indicate that environmental contamination from the Jessica
spill was broadly and thinly dispersed throughout the southwestern archipelago.
Survey work confirmed that bunker fuel went ashore at sites as remote as the
coastlines of Fernandina and Isabela and in sensitive habitats such as mangroves
(Edgar et al. 2002a; Marshall and Edgar 2003).
6 Echinoderms of Ecuador
219
illegal fishery of I. fuscus in the GMR, Toral-Granda (2005) studied the shapes and
combination of microscopic spicules from the skeletal components in the body wall
and tube feet of I. fuscus. Spicules are shaped like tables and C-shaped rods in the
body wall and perforate supporting tables in the tube feet plates and perforate
supporting tables. This provides a means to diminish the illegal trade in this species,
and support conservation efforts. Processed I. fuscus looks similar to some other
species and can be almost impossible to distinguish from them. This includes S.
horrens, which is harvested illegally together with I. fuscus (Arellano 2004). This
methodology can be used in a quick, precise and easy identification. It is costeffective and can be done in a timely manner by custom officers to distinguish this
species from others.
Isostichopus fuscus has been intensively fished along the mainland and around
the Galápagos Islands. Therefore its populations have thus been severely depleted
over the past decade. Mercier et al. (2004) first attempted to breed I. fuscus in landbased installations on the coast of Ecuador. They studied spawning, fertilization,
larval rearing, disease control and juvenile growth. Data pooled from monthly
trials conducted over 3 years indicate that, under optimal conditions, juveniles can
be grown to a length of ca. 8 cm in length in 3.5 months. The survival rate is
typically between 30 and 50 %. Furthermore, preliminary experiments showed
that growth of young I. fuscus in abandoned shrimp ponds is a promising option.
Overall, this study demonstrates that I. fuscus can be reared in captivity. Thus, this
provides an alternative to fisheries, or a way to maintain sustainable harvests and
eventually contribute to the restoration of the natural populations.
6.5 Threats
6.5.1 Anthropogenic and Environmental Effects
The fuel tanker Jessica grounded on Shiavioni reef at the entrance of Wreck Bay,
San Cristóbal Island (Galápagos Islands) on 16 January 2001. The vessel carried
approximately 240,000 gallons of fuel oil consisting of 160,000 gallons of Diesel
Oil #2 (DO#2) and 80,000 gallons of Intermediate Fuel Oil 120 (IFO 120, or
bunker fuel). By 29
th January, most of the remaining 180,000 gallons of fuel oil
(75,000 gallons of IFO 120 and 105,000 gallons of DO#2) had escaped from the
hull and dispersed to waters within the archipelago. The results of the Galápagos
Coastal Oil Survey indicate that environmental contamination from the Jessica
spill was broadly and thinly dispersed throughout the southwestern archipelago.
Survey work confirmed that bunker fuel went ashore at sites as remote as the
coastlines of Fernandina and Isabela and in sensitive habitats such as mangroves
(Edgar et al. 2002a; Marshall and Edgar 2003).
6 Echinoderms of Ecuador
219