Role of deposit‐feeding sea cucumbers in integrated multitrophic aquaculture: progress, problems, potential and future challenges

Abstract

There is significant commercial and research interest in the application of sea cucumbers as nutrient recyclers and processors of particulate waste in polyculture or integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems. The following article reviews examples of existing IMTA systems operating with sea cucumbers, and details the role and effect of several sea cucumber species in experimental and pilot IMTA systems worldwide. Historical observations and quantification of impacts of sea cucumber deposit-feeding and locomotion are examined, as is the development and testing of concepts for the application of sea cucumbers in sediment remediation and site recovery. The extension of applied IMTA systems is reported, from basic piloting through to economically viable farming systems operating at commercial scales. The near-global recognition of the ecological and economic value of deposit-feeding sea cucumbers in IMTA applications within existing and developing aquaculture industries is discussed. Predictions and recommendations are offered for optimal development of sea cucumber IMTA globally. Future directions within the industry are indicated, and key areas of ecological, biological and commercial concern are highlighted to be kept in mind and addressed in a precautionary manner as the industry develops.

State of the Art and Challenges for Offshore Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

“…The integrated farming of vastly different organisms with different needs is complex (Zamora et al, 2016). Challenging is also the optimization of how the extractive species get exposed by the waste-products of the fed species (Troell et al, 2003(Troell et al, , 2009Granada et al, 2016).…”

Bio mitigation based on integrated multi trophic aquaculture in temperate coastal waters: practice, assessment, and challenges

“…Various species of nutrient absorbers, suspension feeders, deposit feeders, and other organic-extractive organisms (Table 1) are candidate organisms that can be co-cultured with the targeted species (finfish, e.g., red sea bream F5, Atlantic salmon F7) in an IMTA system (Zhou et al, 2006;Aveytua-Alcazar et al, 2008;Abreu et al, 2009;Mao et al, 2009;Shi et al, 2011;Yokoyama, 2013;Brito et al, 2014;Yokoyama et al, 2015;Cubillo et al, 2016;Fang et al, 2016;Alexander & Hughes, 2017;Shpigel et al, 2017;Laramore et al, 2018;Zamora et al, 2018). Wastes released from the fish farm can be used as food sources for inorganic and organic nutrient-extractive species.…”

Growth, health and biochemical composition of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa after multi-year holding in effluent waters of land-based salmon culture

“…Sea cucumbers are high-value products from marine aquaculture and fisheries; they have also been identified as prospective extractive species for IMTA due to their ability to feed on the particulate waste generated by other animals (Zamora et al 2018). Many studies have shown them to be good candidates for co-culture with finfish (Ahlgren 1998, Hannah et al 2013, Yokoyama 2013, bivalves (Zhou et al 2006, Slater & Carton 2007, Paltzat et al 2008, Yoko yama 2015, gastropods (Kang et al 2003, Maxwell et al 2009) and jellyfish (Ren et al 2014).…”