The sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa: its absorption efficiency, potential application in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and a review of its culture potential
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Date
2012
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University of New Brunswick
Abstract
The sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa was examined as a potential integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) organic extractive species by determining the efficiency at which they could absorb organics (absorption efficiency) in the laboratory and field. C. frondosa absorbed approximately 70% of organic material when feeding in the natural environment, with the potential to increase this efficiency when exposed to higher quality material. C. frondosa was also found to capture and consume aquaculture waste, and therefore has the potential to reduce organic loading at aquaculture sites.
Currently C. frondosa is not being cultured. Utilizing the literature available, the marketability, biology, production cost, hatchery potential, grow-out technology, and alternate use within IMTA were explored. This sea cucumber species is marketable, highly abundant, and its reproductive biology is well researched. It appears to be best-suited for ocean culture. However, its slow growth rate and low value could present challenges and may limit aquaculture production.