International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 245-254 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 245 Review Article Open Access Optimization of Sea Ranching Techniques for Sustainable Tropical Sea Cucumber Aquaculture Yue Zhu, Xianming Li Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: xianming.li@cuixi.org International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0028 Received: 06 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 15 Jul., 2024 Published: 25 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhu and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproductio4n in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhu Y., and Li X.M., 2024, Optimization of sea ranching techniques for sustainable tropical sea cucumber aquaculture, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(3): 245-254 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0028) Abstract Sustainable tropical sea cucumber aquaculture is a crucial issue in current marine resource management. Tropical sea cucumbers are widely used in the global aquaculture industry due to their high economic value and ecological contribution. With increasing demand, optimizing sea ranching techniques to achieve sustainable farming becomes essential. This study systematically evaluates traditional and modern sea ranching methods, providing a comprehensive analysis of habitat selection, environmental monitoring, feeding strategies, disease management, breeding and restocking programs. The research highlights that proper habitat selection and management, scientific supplemental feeding formulations, effective disease prevention, and health monitoring protocols are key to improving the efficiency and health of sea cucumber farming. Additionally, advancements in breeding techniques and larval rearing practices, along with considerations of ecological and economic feasibility, contribute to enhancing the sustainability of farming systems. This study aims to provide optimized solutions for tropical sea cucumber aquaculture, promoting the protection of marine ecosystems and the long-term development of the aquaculture industry. Keywords Tropical sea cucumber; Aquaculture; Sea ranching techniques; Sustainability; Ecological management 1 Introduction Tropical sea cucumber aquaculture has become a significant field due to the high demand for sea cucumbers in global markets, particularly in Asia where they are considered a delicacy and possess various medicinal properties (Al-Yaqout et al., 2021). The overexploitation of wild sea cucumber populations has led to a decline in their numbers, prompting the need for sustainable aquaculture practices (Sahu et al., 2022). Various species, such as Holothuria scabra and Stichopus monotuberculatus, have been the focus of aquaculture and sea ranching efforts due to their commercial value and ecological importance (Hair et al., 2016; Xu et al., 2022). Sustainable sea cucumber aquaculture is crucial for several reasons. It helps conserve wild populations by reducing the pressure on natural stocks (Han et al., 2016). It supports the livelihoods of coastal communities by providing an alternative source of income through mariculture activities (Dvoretsky and Dvoretsky, 2021; Fabinyi et al., 2022). Additionally, sustainable practices ensure the long-term viability of sea cucumber farming by maintaining ecological balance and preventing habitat degradation (Hair et al., 2020; Hartati et al., 2021). Effective sea ranching techniques, such as the use of sea pens and acclimation operations, have shown promise in improving the survival and growth rates of cultured juveniles (Hair et al., 2016; Taylor et al., 2016; Xu et al., 2022). This study evaluates and optimizes sea ranching techniques for tropical sea cucumber aquaculture by assessing the effectiveness of different release and protection methods for juvenile sea cucumbers in various marine environments, identifying the biophysical and human factors that influence the success of sea ranching operations, and exploring the socio-economic challenges and governance structures impacting community-based sea cucumber mariculture. The study aims to provide recommendations for best practices and future research directions to enhance the sustainability and productivity of tropical sea cucumber aquaculture. By synthesizing findings from multiple studies, this study contributes to the development of more efficient and sustainable sea ranching techniques, ultimately supporting the conservation of sea cucumber populations and the economic well-being of coastal communities.
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