ABSTRACT
Dynamics of gonad index during reproductive period, maturation of gametes and fecundity were studied in two settlements of Strongylocentrotus nudus Agassiz. This chapter shows that in sea-urchins which inhabit the Amursky Bay (the Sea of Japan) near the City of Vladivostok (polluted waters) spawning volume of gonads is twice larger than in individuals living near Furuhelm Island within Far Eastern Marine Reserve (relatively unpolluted waters). Nevertheless, almost complete absence of echinoplutei in the Amursky Bay and their presence in the waters of the Marine Reserve evidences for adverse effect of polluted waters of the Amursky Bay on larval development of the sea-urchins.
