Economically Important Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Reefs of West Sulu Sea, Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

Benthic macroinvertebrates are essential components of the marine ecosystem and a source of food and livelihood in many coastal communities. However, a lack of knowledge about their status has resulted in their overexploitation in many areas where they are openly harvested. In this paper, we assessed the species composition, population density, uses, and conservation status of economically important benthic macroinvertebrates in the coral reefs of the West Sulu Sea, Palawan, Philippines. A total of 100 transects from six sites (3–10-m depth) covering a reef area of 25,000 m2 were assessed using scuba diving. There were 15 species belonging to 11 families found in the surveyed sites, with the Crocus giant clam Tridacna crocea Lamarck 1819 encountered in all sites. The mean population density of each species ranged between 0.8–306.4 individuals ha–1. Based on the IUCN Red List, most of the species encountered have “Least Concern” and “Not Evaluated status,” whereas two species are listed as “Lower Risk/ Conservation Dependent.” Mostly, these organisms are harvested as a source of food, souvenirs, decorations, and jewelry. The absence of some high-value and threatened species may indicate over-harvesting of these species. The results of this study can be used as a basis for formulating a long-term management plan for these benthic macroinvertebrates and their coastal habitats.