International Journal of Marine Science, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 320-328 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 321 are all actual concerns (Chary et al., 2020). It's true that the economy can bring benefits, but the ecological aspect cannot be underestimated. At present, how to achieve profits while maintaining the ecological bottom line has become an unavoidable topic in tropical sea cucumber farming. This research focuses precisely on this issue. We want to sort out the ecological impacts of tropical sea cucumber farming from different perspectives, including the possible changes it may bring in sediment restoration, water quality improvement and biodiversity. At the same time, we will also start from the breeding model and management techniques, and combine real cases to clearly understand the current development trends and controversial points of the industry. It is hoped that this work can provide some references for future policy-making and eco-friendly breeding practices, and also help everyone more clearly recognize that in the matter of breeding, the environment and the economy have never been mutually exclusive oppositances. 2 Tropical Sea Cucumber Farming Models and Management Practices 2.1 Major farming models: pond culture, sea ranching, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) The cultivation methods of tropical sea cucumbers are not monotonous. Each model has its own suitable scenarios and management focuses. Pond farming is currently the most common method, especially suitable for species like the rough sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra) that have clear requirements for their growth environment. The pond environment is easy to control, and seedling raising and cultivation are convenient. However, problems are also prone to occur - such as the potential risks of nutrient overflow caused by artificial feed and deterioration of water quality (Zamora et al., 2018; Guo et al., 2025). Let's take a look at the "sea release" method. In fact, it is to release young ginseng into natural or semi-natural environments. This method relies more on the management of local communities and has relatively low costs. However, the area needs to be large enough. If the management is not in place, problems such as illegal fishing and excessive harvesting may occur (Fabinyi et al., 2022). Another model that is increasingly valued is IMTA, which involves raising sea cucumbers together with other species such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed. Its principle is simple: sea cucumbers are used to "treat" the residues of other species, reducing the accumulation of organic waste in the system. It sounds good, but it is not a "universal solution". The effect depends on whether the species combination is reasonable and whether the production scale is balanced (Kunzmann et al., 2018; Ciriminna et al., 2024). 2.2 Farming management techniques: feed supply, water quality control, and stocking density regulation No matter which mode is adopted, whether the care is good or not often depends on three key points: what is eaten, whether the water quality is good or not, and whether the density is placed correctly. In ponds or IMTA systems, the feed strategy should follow the species. Some sea cucumbers consume natural sediment debris, while others need to be fed with formula feed. However, overfeeding or inappropriate feed can easily lead to excessive nutrients in water bodies and aggravated pollution (Purcell et al., 2012). Especially for closed systems, water quality changes rapidly, making control even more crucial. Issues such as ammonia nitrogen accumulation and unstable pH all need to be addressed. The introduction of circulating water systems, biological filters or "natural scavengers" such as seaweed and halophytes can alleviate the pollution problem to a certain extent (Senff et al., 2020; Huo et al., 2024). The issue of density is rather subtle - if too much is placed, individuals will grow slowly and diseases are more likely to break out. If too little is placed, the system utilization rate may be too low and it is not cost-effective (Namukose et al., 2016). How much is just appropriate? It depends on what kind of plant it is, where it is raised and what the goal is. 2.3 Regional differences and the role of farming scale in modulating environmental impact The farming methods of tropical sea cucumbers in different regions are greatly influenced by local natural conditions and social backgrounds. In the Indo-Pacific region, small-scale aquaculture is relatively common, such as pond and community stocking methods. Many of them rely on small fishermen for a living (Juinio-menez et al., 2017; Kunzmann et al., 2023). In East Africa and along the coast of the western Indian Ocean, it is more inclined to coculture with seaweed. The IMTA system has also begun to be gradually promoted, mainly to alleviate ecological pressure and enhance the sustainability of aquaculture (Senff et al., 2020). But when it comes to environmental
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