This publication contains current information on the status of world sea cucumber resources and use, focusing on established countries such as China, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as relative newcomers to the sector such as Cuba, Egypt, Madagascar and Tanzania. Issues discussed include technical advances in artificial reproduction and farming of selected commercial species; and the report includes the recommendations of a FAO workshop on cucumber aquaculture and management, held in China, in October 2003.

Sea cucumber fisheries have existed for centuries, driven primarily by the Chinese markets. In recent decades, overfishing has severely depleted commercial sea cucumber populations worldwide. Consequently, a growing number of countries are becoming interested in developing aquaculture programs. Every year billions of larvae and millions of juveniles are successfully grown in aquaculture facilities and new initiatives are booming. Here we introduce briefly the main species that have so far been successfully cultivated: Apostichopus japonicus, Holothuria scabra and Isostichopus fuscus. We describe common techniques for the culture of larvae and juveniles and outline some of the main challenges of this industry.

The World of Sea Cucumbers: Challenges, Advances, and Innovations provides broad coverage of sea cucumber biology, ecology, fisheries, aquaculture, and trade while also bringing forward novel cultural, socioeconomic and scientific topics related to commercial and non-commercial species worldwide. Written by international experts in their respective fields, the book offers a unique outlook into the fascinating world of sea cucumbers while also providing valuable information to various stakeholders and researchers. Commercial fisheries and aquaculture programs are addressed, especially as they relate to emerging species, but the book also covers novel, understudied or lesser-known biological, ecological, and commercial aspects. The involvement of Indigenous peoples and minorities in various community-level initiatives and on the cultural significance/impact of sea cucumbers in many regions are also examined. Finally, breakthroughs and emerging biotechnologies centered on sea cucumbers are presented. - Brings together a network of experts covering broad sea cucumber topics, from basic biology and commercial trade to socioeconomic value and novel biotechnologies - Offers worldwide coverage, including Asia, the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Northern Europe, North and South America, and the poles - Raises global awareness on little-known facts of sea cucumber importance

Sea cucumbers belong to the Phylum Echinodermata. There are more than 900 recorded species of sea cucumber of which more than 40 are edible. As a food source, sea cucumbers are rich in protein, low in fat, rich in collagen, sulfated polysaccharides, phospholipids, glycolipids, saponins and other functional components. Therefore, sea cucumbers have important nutritional and medicinal value. Growing awareness of these health benefits has promoted growth in marine aquaculture and processing technologies for the development of sea cucumber products for many applications.Novel perspectives of nutritional functions and processing technologies of sea cucumbers are defined in this book. The chemical structure and nutritional function of sea cucumbers are systematically reviewed. These include the functional/nutritional components, the endogenous enzymatic properties related to processing efficiency and product quality, and the efficient preparation technology of functional components. The traditional processing technology is presented as the background context to highlight the advances in new processing technologies including low-temperature cooking technology based on controllable negative pressure system, heat pump-hot-blast air combined drying technology, microwave sterilization of instant sea cucumber, collagen stabilization technology. The book finishes with the authentication of sea cucumber types and origin, quality standards, product quality control systems and food safety requirements.

Sea urchins and sea cucumbers are highly sought after delicacies growing in popularity globally. The demand for these species is rapidly outpacing natural stocks, and researchers and seafood industry personnel are now looking towards aquaculture as a means of providing a sustainable supply of these organism. Echinoderm Aquaculture is a practical reference on the basic biology and current culture practices for a wide range of geographically diverse echinoderm species. Echinoderm Aquaculture begins by examining the basic ecology and biology of sea urchins and sea cucumbers as well as the breadth of uses of these organisms as a source of food and bioactive compound. Subsequent chapters delineate the specific species of interest invarious geographic regions from around the world. Together, chapters provide a comprehensive coverage of culture practices. Echinoderm Aquaculture is a practical reference for researchers and industry personnel, and will serve as an invaluable resource to this rapidly growing segment of the aquaculture industry.

While sea cucumber is one of China's and Asia's most prized seafoods, and aquaculture programs are being developed on a huge commercial scale, Chinese expertise and knowledge in this area has not been well disseminated worldwide. The Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is the first book to bridge this gap by compiling key information related to hatchery and aquaculture techniques, nutritional and medical values, markets, and trade flow of the number one sea cucumber species. It summarizes the historical and most recent developments in the trade and aquaculture of Apostichopus japonicus, as well as important aspects of its anatomy, population dynamics, reproduction, development, physiology, and biochemistry. With sea cucumber harvest and aquaculture booming worldwide, comprehensive knowledge of China's technological breakthroughs in this rapidly expanding field is key. The Sea Cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is essential to understanding the cultural underpinnings of the insatiable market demands for sea cucumber and what drives sea cucumber trade. It also provides biological information and aquaculture techniques that can be adapted to other species, making it a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners involved in sea cucumber harvesting, aquaculture, and conservation. - Explores the historical and current importance of Apostichopus japonicus in China, Japan, and the two Koreas - Presents innovative production technologies in sea cucumber aquaculture - Provides the latest scientific methods to maximize efficiency and production - Includes important information on the design and operation of farms - Discusses hot topics, current challenges, and future opportunities in aquaculture - Highlights important advances in the study of sea cucumbers at the behavioral, cellular, and molecular levels

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in the world. With demand for seafood increasing at astonishing rates, the optimization of production methods is vital. One of the primary restrictions to continued growth is the supply of juveniles from hatcheries. Addressing these constraints, Advances in aquaculture hatchery technology provides a comprehensive, systematic guide to the use of current and emerging technologies in enhancing hatchery production.Part one reviews reproduction and larval rearing. Aquaculture hatchery water supply and treatment systems, principles of finfish broodstock management, genome preservation, and varied aspects of nutrition and feeding are discussed in addition to larval health management and microbial management for bacterial pathogen control. Closing the life-cycle and overcoming challenges in hatchery production for selected invertebrate species are the focus of part two, and advances in hatchery technology for spiny lobsters, shrimp, blue mussel, sea cucumbers and cephalopods are all discussed. Part three concentrates on challenges and successes in closing the life-cycle and hatchery production for selected fish species, including tuna, striped catfish, meagre, and yellowtail kingfish. Finally, part four explores aquaculture hatcheries for conservation and education.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Advances in aquaculture hatchery technology is an authoritative review of the field for hatchery operators, scientists, marine conservators and educators. - Provides a comprehensive guide to the use of technologies in enhancing hatchery production - Examines reproduction and larval rearing, including genetic improvement and microdiets - Discusses challenges in hatchery production of specific species

Sea Cucumbers: Aquaculture, Biology and Ecology presents the latest scientific research on sea cucumbers and their ecological and nutritional benefits. This practical reference helps professionals and students understand basic biology and farming methods by presenting the basic knowledge needed to not only promote aquaculture and ?sheries management in different environments, but to also improve the management of sea cucumber health and successful aquaculture operations. Information in this book includes a variety of sea cucumber species, population status, aquaculture development, and the explored bene?ts of sea cucumbers in unique regions, including Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Arabian countries of the Persian Gulf. Covers the recent literature surrounding the biology and ecology of sea cucumbers Highlights the medicinal and pharmaceutical values of sea cucumbers Presents the advantages of developing sea cucumber farming as a viable aquaculture enterprise Includes practical case studies of sea cucumber aquaculture