The global production of sea cucumber is not enough to meet market demand in a sustained manner (WIOMSA, 2014). The causes of the problem presented in the case of sea cucumber populations can be grouped into two categories: indirect and direct anthropogenic impact (González, 2018). The indirect problem caused by the effects on their natural habitat due to climate change that entails, for example, the acidification of the oceans (EEA, 2015). Which affects the biological parameters of sea cucumber populations and thereby hinders the healthy growth and development of the specimens. While the direct anthropogenic pressure is related to overexploitation due to the high demand for bench-de-sea in the Asian market, which leads to a reduction in the density and abundance of sea cucumber populations (Sánchez-Tapia et al, 2018). If the problem continues, it is unlikely that sea cucumber populations will recover to sustainable levels in the short term.
In this research, the objective was to determine, under a bioeconomic and decision theory approach, the quasi-utility (QΠ) and optimal stocking density to develop an aquaculture repopulation strategy of the Isostichopus badionotus species on the Yucatan coast, and propose a methodological design for the selection of the optimal site applying a multicriteria method, based on social, economic, biological and bioeconomic factors.
The methodology applied consisted of a documentary research which served to identify four sites on the Yucatan west coast. With that information we apply a bioeconomic model. The next step of the methodology was to applicate the decision theory. The decision making on the decision theory was based on an averse to the risk point of view. Finally, the last step on the methodology was the multiple-criteria technique which helped to analyze variables that differ between them.
The results showed that D1 θ1 is the one that presents the best values due to the fact that it has a greater number of individuals per square meter as well as a greater survival of organisms. Therefore, it is the strategy that represents a higher value of biomass (VB). On the opposite case, the D2 θ2 strategy which presents a lower number of organisms per square meter and a lower survival; therefore, it will be the option with the lowest performance. It is logical that D3 θ3 is the one that presents intermediate values because it is the strategy built with the averages of what is reported. Regarding the adequacy of the multi-criteria analysis, it can be explained that the best results are presented by Celestun because it has a higher degree of social backwardness than the ports of Sisal and Progreso and for this reason it was given greater importance in standardization.