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Of the six Sandfish stocks defined by either the biological stock or management unit level, three are undefined (Gulf of Carpentaria, North West Northern Territory, Queensland), one is sustainable (Kimberley), and two are depleted (Pilbara, Torres Strait).

Photo credit: NT Fisheries

Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) is widely dispersed in shallow water on soft sediments throughout the Indo-Pacific region, bounded by the East Coast Africa, the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and west of the mid Pacific Ocean. Gene flow investigations for H. scabra populations along the north and east coasts of Australia concluded that populations can be grouped into at least 3 genetically distinct stocks: (1) southern populations from the Hervey Bay area, (2) one population from the central coast of Queensland, and (3) populations from Torres Strait (Uthicke and Benzie, 2001). The last region is closely related to samples from the Solomon Islands. A similar result was reported by Gardner et al. [2012] in relation to H. scabra populations within Northern Territory waters, suggesting the existence of genetically distinct stocks in the Gulf of Carpentaria (or eastern population) and the Arafura Sea (or western population). No equivalent studies have been done in Western Australia. However, based on the existing knowledge from isolation by distance models, it was assumed that the Kimberley and Pilbara populations of H. scabra are separate stocks for management purposes. The sandfish stock in Torres Strait is concentrated on the Warrior Reefs complex, which bridges Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Sandfish in Torres Strait is assumed to be a single biological stock for assessment and management purposes. Thus, six Australian stocks of Sandfish are currently recognised for management and assessment purposes.

Here, assessment of stock status for Sandfish is presented at the biological stock level—Gulf of Carpentaria, North West Northern Territory, Kimberley Western Australia and Pilbara Western Australia—and the management unit level—Torres Strait and Queensland.

Gulf of Carpentaria

Sandfish comprise of approximately 99% of the catch in the Northern Territory Trepang Fishery. Sandfish catches in the Trepang Fishery are managed through a tiered grid catch limit system, which allocates a total allowable harvest in specified fishing grids. Recent catch in this stock is low compared to historical catches. Catch from the Gulf of Carpentaria biological stock was 14 t in the 2021–22 financial year. The annual average catch in the last 10 years was 24 t (2011–12 to 2022–23), which is almost half the annual average of the preceding 10 years (43 t). This coincides with a reduction in average annual effort (in dive hours) in the Gulf of Carpentaria stock from 505 hours for 2001–02 to 2010–11 to 259 hours for 2011–12 to 2022–23. It is uncertain if the decline in catch and effort is driven by operational/economic decisions or due to changes of stock abundance. There is insufficient information available to classify the status of this stock. 

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the Gulf of Carpentaria is classified as an undefined stock.

North West Northern Territory

Sandfish comprise of approximately 99% of the catch in the Northern Territory Trepang Fishery. Sandfish catches in the Trepang Fishery are managed through a tiered grid catch limit system, which allocates a total allowable harvest in specified fishing grids. In the North West Northern Territory stock there has been a significant reduction effort from the historic peak. Effort has reduced from an annual average of 809 hours (1991–92 to 2000–01) to 302 hours in the last 10 years (2011–12 to 2022–23). In a similar trend, average catch has reduced from 70 t per year (1991–92 to 2000–01) to 31 t per year (2011–12 to 2022–23). There has also been a spatial contraction of effort in this stock. It is unclear if this has been driven by stock declines in unfished locations or driven by operational/economic decisions. Catch from the North West Northern Territory biological stock was 28 t in the 2021–22 financial year. It is uncertain if the decline in catch and effort is driven by operational/economic decisions or due to changes of stock abundance. There is insufficient information available to classify the status of this stock. 

On the basis of the evidence provided above, the North West Northern Territory stock is classified as an undefined stock.

Sandfish biology [Hamel et al. 2001; Kithakeni and Ndara 2002; Skewes et al. 2014].

Distribution of reported commercial catch of Sandfish.

Commonwealth – Recreational. The Australian Government does not manage recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters. Recreational fishing in Commonwealth waters is managed by the state or territory immediately adjacent to those waters, under its management regulations.

Commonwealth – Commercial (catch). Catch is by calendar year. All catch is Indigenous.

Commercial catch of Sandfish - note confidential catch not shown.

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