International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 245-254 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 249 reducing waste and enhancing growth. In such systems, sea cucumbers can effectively utilize organic matter from the feces of other species, thereby improving nutrient recycling and reducing environmental impact (Zamora et al., 2018; Grosso et al., 2020). This approach not only supports the growth of sea cucumbers but also contributes to the overall sustainability of the aquaculture system. 4.3 Nutritional composition and requirements Understanding the nutritional composition and requirements of sea cucumbers is essential for optimizing their growth and health in aquaculture. Sea cucumbers require a diet rich in organic matter, including detritus, phytoplankton, and other marine-derived nutrients. The nutritional needs can vary based on species and environmental conditions. For example,Cucumaria frondosain the Barents Sea thrives on a diet that includes detritus and small planktonic crustaceans, while Stichopus monotuberculatus benefits from a diet supplemented with fish meal and other organic materials (Figure 2) (Dvoretsky and Dvoretsky, 2021; Xu et al., 2022). Ensuring that these nutritional requirements are met through natural foraging and supplemental feeding is key to the sustainable aquaculture of sea cucumbers. Optimizing feeding strategies and understanding the nutritional requirements of sea cucumbers are vital for the success of sea ranching and aquaculture. By assessing natural food availability, formulating effective supplemental diets, and employing sustainable feeding techniques, it is possible to enhance the growth, health, and overall sustainability of tropical sea cucumber aquaculture. The cultivation process of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa in the Russian waters of the Bering Sea includes fertilization under laboratory conditions, larval rearing, transfer to the seabed, and the stages of ranching and harvesting. Figure 2 emphasizes the importance of nutritional composition and requirements for the growth and health of sea cucumbers. By controlling the nutritional supply to larvae, survival rates and growth speeds can be significantly improved, optimizing farming efficiency. This detailed process provides valuable reference cases for sea cucumber farming in other regions. 5 Disease Management and Health Monitoring 5.1 Common diseases in sea cucumbers Sea cucumbers, particularly those in aquaculture, are susceptible to various diseases, primarily due to weakened immunity or the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria. Apostichopus japonicus, a commercially important species, often faces bacterial infections that can significantly impact its health and survival rates (Zhang et al., 2021). These infections are exacerbated by the intensive farming conditions and the high density of individuals, which facilitate the spread of pathogens. 5.2 Disease prevention strategies To mitigate the impact of diseases in sea cucumber aquaculture, several eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics have been explored. The use of immunostimulants to enhance the immune responses of sea cucumbers and antagonists to inhibit bacterial pathogens has shown promise. These methods aim to prevent bacterial infections without the drawbacks associated with antibiotics, such as the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and environmental degradation (Zhang et al., 2021). Additionally, proper acclimation procedures before releasing hatchery-reared juveniles into the wild can improve their survival rates by reducing stress and enhancing their ability to adapt to new environments (Xu et al., 2022). 5.3 Health monitoring protocols Effective health monitoring protocols are crucial for the sustainable management of sea cucumber aquaculture. Regular monitoring of growth performance indexes, nutritional components, and survival rates can provide valuable insights into the health status of sea cucumbers. For instance, in a study on Stichopus monotuberculatus, growth rates, weight gain, and survival rates were closely monitored to assess the feasibility of sea ranching in a tropical coral reef area (Xu et al., 2022). Implementing a tiered harvest strategy that includes pre-agreed, transparent rules for monitoring and data collection can also support sustainable management practices. This approach encourages the collection of both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data to inform decision-making and regulate the fishery effectively (Plagányi et al., 2020).
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