WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2014 43 Currently about 430 (97 percent) of aquatic species in aquaculture have been domesticated since the start of the 20th century and, of these, about 106 have been domesticated over the last two decades (Duarte et al. 2007). The decision to select a particular species of aquatic animal or plant for aquaculture requires detailed evaluation of several criteria. Candidate species should be selected and culture systems developed with a broad focus, addressing economic and technical issues while maintaining environmental and social integrity. Sea cucumbers, also known as bêche-de-mer or trepan in market parlance, have attracted attention as a potential group of species for aquaculture (Robinson 2013). Sea cucumbers are a delicacy and source of traditional medicines in Asia. Major consumer nations of sea cucumbers are China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia. Recent economic growth and per capita income in China have increased the demand for sea cucumber products. Sea cucumber fisheries in many parts of the world, however, are being overexploited and their ‘boom and bust’ nature has been well documented (Anderson et al. 2011). Aquaculture development and stock enhancement with juveniles produced in hatcheries have been suggested as means to sustainably increase sea cucumber production. The California Sea Cucumber — a Potential Candidate for Aquaculture A. Kalam Azad, R. Scott McKinley, Ian P. Forster and Christopher M. Pearce Research aimed at developing a sustainable culture industry for the California sea cucumber Parastichopus californicus (Fig. 1) is being conducted in western Canada. The California sea cucumber is the largest of approximately 30 holothuroid species found in British Columbia (BC), Canada (DFO 2002) and can reach 50-60 cm and 500 g, although the average adult is approximately 30-40 cm and 225-250 g. The species is distributed from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California and found in the intertidal zone to a depth of 250 m, forming the basis of substantial dive fisheries in BC and Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California, USA (Muse 1998, DFO 2002, Bruckner 2005). Continued market demand and high prices for sea cucumber products have stimulated recent interest in aquaculture of California sea cucumber. While hatchery and grow-out techniques have been developed for other sea cucumber species, such as sandfish (Robinson 2013), very little is known about the biology and culture of P. californicus and the techniques developed for other species may not be directly transferable. This article describes some of the socioeconomic, technical and environmental aspects of the aquaculture development of California sea cucumbers. LEFT, FIGURE 1. The California sea cucumber Parastichopus californicus. RIGHT, FIGURE 2. Broodstock in a rearing tank at the Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research, West Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sea cucumbers, also known as bêche-de-mer or trepan in market parlance, have attracted attention as a potential group of species for aquaculture. Sea cucumbers are a delicacy and source of traditional medicines in Asia. Sea cucumber fisheries in many parts of the world, however, are being overexploited and their ‘boom and bust’ nature has been well documented. Aquaculture development and stock enhancement with juveniles produced in hatcheries have been suggested as means to sustainably increase sea cucumber production. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 44)
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