International Journal of Marine Science, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 320-328 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 326 But ultimately, the extent to which the effect can be exerted depends on whether the quantity of sea cucumbers is sufficient. If their "proportion" in the system is too low, the task of cleaning up aquaculture waste cannot be done either (Chary et al., 2020). A more detailed life cycle assessment also indicates that although IMTA does have advantages in controlling eutrophication and improving system efficiency, it is not without cost - it uses more energy and may also increase the pressure on the climate. So, to achieve a win-win situation for the economy and the ecosystem through IMTA, not only should the design be reasonable, but also the environmental changes must be closely monitored in the later stage and adjustments made in a timely manner. This matter is far more complicated than initially imagined. 7 Conclusion and Sustainable Development Recommendations The potential of tropical sea cucumber farming in terms of environmental restoration and economic output is no longer a novel topic, especially when combined with multi-trophic level aquaculture (IMTA) systems, the advantages become even more obvious. They are regarded as natural "scavengers", capable of consuming organic waste left over from the eutrophication process, and may also promote the growth of seagrass and drive the nutrient cycle of benthic systems. However, not all farming can bring about these effects. In actual operation, if the stocking density is too high or the system design is inadequate, it may not only fail to achieve the expected restoration goals, but also increase the burden on the water body, and even induce the spread of diseases and the destruction of habitats. Such risks may be magnified if management is slightly loosened. The results of the life cycle assessment also remind us that the feeding and breeding stages are often the hardest-hit areas in terms of energy consumption and water resource consumption. Is there a more reliable way. Actually, there are quite a few. For instance, when it comes to density, don't rush towards the idea that "more is better" right from the start. Only by maintaining good health can one have the ability to recover. Green aquaculture is not just a formality. Clean energy, micro-ecological preparations, and circulating water systems are not new tools, but they are indeed effective. At the governance level, policies are of course important, but their actual implementation still depends on whether the community actively participates. In the final analysis, illegal fishing and disease control are issues of "people". Also, don't underestimate environmental monitoring. Conducting a life cycle assessment is not about submitting a report, but about always knowing which part has problems and how to make improvements. Regarding IMTA and mixed breeding, they are still in the exploration stage at present, and there is much room for optimization. How and to what extent sea cucumbers should cooperate with other species to achieve high efficiency still requires in-depth research. At the same time, resource conservation should also be given due attention, such as energy conservation and emission reduction, optimizing the feed structure, or introducing renewable energy to relieve pressure from the source. Furthermore, many key issues remain unclear at present, such as the long-term control of diseases, the potential risks of genetic pollution, and the long-term impact of large-scale aquaculture on Marine ecology. These are all the key directions for future scientific research. Finally, if environmental protection behaviors can be encouraged through green certification and market mechanisms, giving enterprises the motivation and benefit to take the sustainable path, it may be more effective than relying solely on administrative orders. Acknowledgments The authors thank Professor Li and the research team for their guidance and support during the writing of this paper, and also appreciates the reviewers' constructive comments. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors confirm that the study was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships and could be interpreted as a potential conflict of interest. References Al-Yaqout A., Nithyanandan M., Al-Yamani F., Al-Kandari M., Al-Roumi M., and Al-Baz A., 2021, Sea cucumbers of the arabian peninsula and iran – a review of historical and current research trends, Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 28: 6116-6126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.001
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