Current Knowledge on the Biology, Ecology, and Commercial Exploitation of the Sea Cucumber<i>Cucumaria frondosa</i>

Gianasi, Bruno L.; Hamel, Jean‐François; Montgomery, Emaline M.; Sun, Jiamin; Mercier, Annie

doi:10.1080/23308249.2020.1839015

Cited by 29 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 160 publications

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“…While the optimal environmental conditions under which feeding, reproduction and development occur in C. frondosa are typically oceanic (Hamel and Mercier, 1996;So et al, 2010), this species has apparently developed notable capabilities to cope with harsh, even improbable, conditions in the short term. Such plasticity may explain its high biomasses and broad distribution range throughout a diversity of temperate and polar marine environments (Gianasi et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa is common and abundant in North Atlantic and Arctic waters (Gianasi et al, 2020). It is also one of the most important emerging commercial species in the North Atlantic and is being considered a promising candidate for multitrophic aquaculture (Nelson et al, 2012;Sun et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also one of the most important emerging commercial species in the North Atlantic and is being considered a promising candidate for multitrophic aquaculture (Nelson et al, 2012;Sun et al, 2020). Over the years, behavioral responses of C. frondosa have been studied and correlated with their wellbeing (Gianasi et al, 2020). Among them, the rhythm of cloacal opening provides a metric to evaluate respiration rates, which were demonstrated to increase when individuals were exposed to various stressors (Gianasi et al, 2015;Ammendolia et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cellular, Hormonal, and Behavioral Responses of the Holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa to Environmental Stressors

Jobson

Hamel²,

Hughes

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Holothuroids (sea cucumbers) are one of the most ubiquitous groups of benthic animals found across diverse marine ecosystems. As echinoderms, they also occupy an important place in the evolutionary hierarchy, sitting close to vertebrates in the deuterostome clade, making them valuable multidisciplinary model organisms. Apart from being ecologically and phylogenetically important, many species are commercially exploited for luxury seafood markets. With the global rise of aquaculture and fisheries, management and protection of these valuable species relies on a better understanding of how their immune systems respond to environmental and anthropogenic stressors. Here, the cellular, hormonal and behavioral indicators of stress in the North Atlantic sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa were examined. The immediate and carry-over (post recovery) effects of a 1-hour exposure to low salinities or to emersion (at two temperatures) highlighted that morphoplasticity in C. frondosa was accompanied by shifts in all monitored indicators. From baseline levels measured in controls, densities of free coelomocytes increased, showing successions of specific cell types and subsequent coelomocyte aggregations, combined with a rise in cortisol levels. These responses mirrored increased fluctuations in cloacal opening rates, decreased force of attachment to the substrate, and enhanced movements and active buoyancy adjustment with increasingly severe stressors. The findings suggest that many systems of sea cucumbers are impacted by stresses that can be associated with harvesting and handling methods, with likely implications for the quality of the processed products. Gaining a deeper understanding of immune and hormonal responses of sea cucumbers is not only of broad ecological and evolutionary value, but also helpful for the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices, and conservation programs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cellular, Hormonal, and Behavioral Responses of the Holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa to Environmental Stressors

Jobson

Hamel²,

Hughes

et al. 2021

Front. Mar. Sci.

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“…The levels in marine sediments are a consequence of in situ geochemical processes, draining from flooded soils, sewage and agricultural, tourist and industrial activities in and around the sites/locations of both harvesting and farming of sea cucumbers. Combined with a suggested lower metabolising capacity or bio-accumulation of POPs [ 32 ] and heavy metals [ 33 , 34 ], consumption of sea cucumber may have negative impacts for human consumers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Safety Risks Posed by Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) related to Consumption of Sea Cucumbers

Elvevoll

James

Toppe

et al. 2022

Foods

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The global production of sea cucumbers was 245 thousand tons in 2020. Sea cucumbers are important food items in Asian and Pacific cuisines, the highest proportion being consumed in China as “bêche-de-mer” dried, gutted, boiled and salted body wall. However, consumption of sea cucumbers is expanding in China and globally, and the high demand has led to decline in populations of sea cucumbers, due to overexploitation. Aquaculture, together with novel fisheries on new species in new regions is easing the demand. Thus, an assessment of food safety is warranted. A literature search on food hazards was performed. A high proportion of the selected papers concerned heavy metals and metalloid hazards, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As). No specific maximum limits (MLs) have been set for contents of these in sea cucumbers. Thus, the contents were compared with maximum limits set for aquatic animals in general or bivalve molluscs if available. With regard to Hg and Cd levels, none of the samples exceeded limits set by the European Commission or the National Standard of China, while for Pb, samples from highly industrialised areas exceeded the limits. Surprisingly, data on contaminants such as POPs, including dioxins and dl-PCB, PAH and PFAS as well as microbial hazards were scarce. The availability of fresh sea cucumber has increased due to aquaculture. To preserve the original flavour some consumers are reported to prefer to eat raw sea cucumber products, sashimi and sushi, which inevitably causes challenges from the microbial food safety perspective. Altogether, this paper highlights specific needs for knowledge, in particular when harvesting new species of sea cucumbers or in industrialized regions. Systematic monitoring activities, appropriate guidelines and regulations are highly warranted to guide the utilization of sea cucumbers.

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“…Several parts of the biology and ecological traits of C. frondosa are known, with stages like larval development, growth, locomotion, and reproduction already well documented [15]. The nutritional properties of Canadian C. frondosa have also been studied, highlighting that it contains mostly protein, polysaccharides, and ash (on a dry weight basis), and the fatty acid profile is dominated by the omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Performance, Environmental Toxins and Nutrient Density of the Underutilized Norwegian Orange-Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

Langdal

Eilertsen

Kjellevold

et al. 2022

Foods

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Low trophic species are often mentioned as additional food sources to achieve broader and more sustainable utilisation of the ocean. The aim of this study was to map the food potential of Norwegian orange-footed sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa). C. frondosa contained 7% protein, 1% lipids with a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a variety of micronutrients. The nutrient density scores (NDS) of C. frondosa were above average compared towards daily recommended intakes (DRI) for men and women (age 31–60) but below when capped at 100% of DRI. The concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and trace elements were in general low, except for inorganic arsenic (iAs) (0.73 mg per kg) which exceeded the limits deemed safe by food authorities. However, the small number of samples analysed for iAs lowers the ability to draw a firm conclusion. The carbon footprint from a value chain with a dredge fishery, processing in Norway and retail in Asia was assessed to 8 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq.) per kg C. frondosa, the fishery causing 90%. Although, C. frondosa has some nutritional benefits, the carbon footprint or possible content of iAs may restrict the consumption.

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Current Knowledge on the Biology, Ecology, and Commercial Exploitation of the Sea CucumberCucumaria frondosa

Cited by 29 publications

References 160 publications

Cellular, Hormonal, and Behavioral Responses of the Holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa to Environmental Stressors

Cellular, Hormonal, and Behavioral Responses of the Holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa to Environmental Stressors

Food Safety Risks Posed by Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) related to Consumption of Sea Cucumbers

Climate Performance, Environmental Toxins and Nutrient Density of the Underutilized Norwegian Orange-Footed Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa)

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