The Moray Eel Fishery in the Seagrass Beds of Siquijor Island, Central Philippines, with Remarks on Two New Philippine Records of the Genus Gymnothorax

In this paper, the researchers document for the very first time in detail the moray eel capture fishery in the seagrass beds of Siquijor Island, Central Philippines. The process of deploying the bamboo traps, gathering of baits, andcatch-per-unit effort (CPUE), income-per-unit effort (IPUE), and the possible impact of an increasing number of moray eel fishers are also discussed. The researchers noted a very low average CPUE of 1.32±0.19 S.E. kg/person/hr and a corresponding Income-per-unit effort (IPUE) of 59.75±9.9 S.E.. Philippine Pesos/person/hour. Sustainable fishing practices of catching moray eels are also highlighted. Apparently, two new records of muraenid eels of the Genus Gymnothorax for the Philippines are also briefly annotated. Keywords - Fishery, Moray eel, Catch Assessment, Siquijor Island, Philippines, Southeast Asia