WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2016 17 The indigenous sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus is a high-value species in the region, with a retail price for dried product in the main market of Hong Kong of US$ 200-400/kg (Purcell et al. 2012), and its population in Brazil is still healthy because it is currently unexploited. Promoting sustainable aquaculture practices through hatchery production is an efficient way to encourage its utilization as an IMTA component and strengthen its market potential in Asia. Finally, as with all other IMTA components, at the end of the production cycle, sea cucumbers are a high-value secondary crop, increasing revenue and profitability of the overall system for farmers. The IMTA approach is important as a tool for monitoring environmental impacts and local carrying capacity. Environmental agencies can use this approach as a standard to recommend farm sizes, production outputs and model potential impacts. With an IMTA approach, it is possible to increase and diversify production with minimal impact on the culture site due to nutrient recycling by extractive organisms. For example, a marine finfish monoculture facility would have the same level of production as an IMTA marine finfish cage culture of the same size but would have a greater environmental impact and no extra crops (Table 2). Boutique marine farm. The concept of a boutique marine farm is based on small-scale marine farms located in scenic areas administrated by small-scale, family-owned business such as hotels and restaurants. This concept was first introduced by Benetti (2014), who demonstrated the regional potential for marine fish farms to produce high-quality seafood for consumers seeking quality and freshness and who are also willing to pay extra for consuming these products while appreciating a beautiful landscape. This approach differs from regular marine fish operations and is characterized by lower-than-average stocking densities and a focus on product quality and freshness with a higher selling price for a niche product. The current initiative pushes this concept further by offering high-quality fresh fish, but also IMTA organisms, particularly mussels and scallops. This approach provides more choices for consumers, including main courses and appetizers. All seafood is harvested on the same day, typically a few hours before being served and some consumers can even choose their product, which provides a unique feeling of consuming ‘wild’ and superfresh seafood. TABLE 2. Benefits of marine fish cage culture with an IMTA system. (++ significantly greater, + greater, - less, and ○ none). Marine fish Marine fish cage culture Marine fish cage culture cage culture + IMTA system + IMTA system (shellfish + seaweed) (shellfish + seaweed + sea cucumber) Finfish production + + + Shellfish production ○ + + Seaweed production ○ + + Sea cucumber production ○ ○ + Environmental impact + - - Sustainability - + ++ Ecological efficiency - + ++ Cobia cage culture facility near Ilha Grande in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cobia during the last phase of grow-out. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 18)
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