International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 245-254 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 248 3.3 Management practices Effective management practices are vital for the sustainability and productivity of sea cucumber ranching. These practices include release techniques, acclimation procedures, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), and community involvement. For release techniques, the method of releasing juveniles into the habitat can impact their survival and dispersal. In northern Australia, the chute release method proved superior to cage release due to higher recovery rates and lower costs (Taylor et al., 2016; Juinio-Meñez et al., 2017; Zhou et al., 2019). For acclimation procedures, acclimating juveniles to the new environment before release can improve survival rates. This was highlighted in the study of Stichopus monotuberculatus, where appropriate acclimation operations were recommended (Xu et al., 2022). For integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), combining sea cucumbers with other species in an IMTA system can enhance environmental sustainability by utilizing waste products as food for sea cucumbers. This approach has shown promise in reducing waste and improving overall farm efficiency (Chary et al., 2020; Grosso et al., 2020). Regarding community involvement, engaging local communities in the management of sea ranching operations can enhance sustainability and economic benefits. In the Philippines, evolving governance structures in community-based mariculture have shown that integrating community involvement with effective management practices can lead to better livelihood outcomes (Fabinyi et al., 2022). By adhering to these criteria and management practices, sea cucumber ranching can be optimized for sustainability and productivity, contributing to the conservation of natural stocks and the economic development of coastal communities. 4 Feeding Strategies and Nutritional Requirements 4.1 Natural diets and foraging behavior 4.1.1 Assessing natural food availability Natural food availability is a critical factor in the successful sea ranching of tropical sea cucumbers. Studies have shown that sea cucumbers primarily feed on organic matter derived from various sources such as water deposits, seaweed debris, phytoplankton, and coral mucus-derived organics. For instance, in a study conducted on the sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus in the South China Sea, stable isotope and lipid biomarkers revealed that these food sources were crucial for their growth and survival (Xu et al., 2022). Additionally, the northern sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa in the Barents Sea primarily consumes detritus, pellets, phytoplankton, and small planktonic crustaceans, indicating a diverse natural diet (Dvoretsky and Dvoretsky, 2021). 4.1.2 Formulating supplemental diets Formulating effective supplemental diets is essential to enhance the growth and health of sea cucumbers in aquaculture settings. Research on integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems has demonstrated the benefits of using diets with varying fish meal concentrations. For example, a study on the co-culture of sea urchins and sea cucumbers found that a diet containing 20% fish meal (D-20) was most effective in promoting growth for both species (Grosso et al., 2020). This suggests that incorporating a balanced mix of vegetable and animal-based nutrients can optimize the nutritional intake of sea cucumbers. 4.1.3 Impact on growth and health The impact of diet on the growth and health of sea cucumbers is significant. In the study of Stichopus monotuberculatus, the sea cucumbers exhibited a growth rate of 0.35-0.78 mm per day and a weight gain of 491.13% over an 8-month period, reaching commercial size within the first year of sea ranching (Xu et al., 2022). However, a notable decrease in nutritional indexes such as amino acids, total lipid, and crude protein was observed, particularly in the first month after release, likely due to environmental adaptation challenges. This highlights the importance of acclimation and appropriate diet formulation to support the health and growth of sea cucumbers in aquaculture (Hartati et al., 2021). 4.2 Supplemental feeding techniques Supplemental feeding techniques play a crucial role in the success of sea cucumber aquaculture. The use of IMTA systems, where sea cucumbers are co-cultured with other species such as sea urchins, has shown promise in
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