ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION
TECHNIQUES
In order to determine their potentials for
commercial culture or for restocking of
depleted marine areas it is necessary to
develop mass seed production techniques
for the sea cucumber.
Source of Broodstock
Wild sea cucumber broodstock are usually
used for artificial propagation. Animals
are collected during their reproductive
season so that they are ready for
immediate spawning. Ideally, broodstock
must be around 250 to 500 g in weight
(Fig. 3). Furthermore, animals with no
bodily damage or lesions due to collection
procedures, have smooth and shiny skin
with transparent mucous layer, and have
not eviscerated should be selected.
Sea cucumbers are collected by hand
during low tide. While at sea, collected
animals should be kept in insulated
containers with aeration using portable
battery-operated aerator if holding time
is more than two hours. It is better if the
animals defecate while in the holding
containers before packing in transport
bags. Although sea cucumbers can
tolerate low dissolved oxygen levels
and high temperature (up to 30oC) for a
long period of time without eviscerating,
they must be provided optimal holding
conditions i.e. water temperature of 27-
30 oC to prevent stress which can cause
premature spawning.
Prior to packing, animals must be cleaned
by gently washing the body with seawater
and should be packed at low density or
better yet individually if using smaller
plastic bags filled with one liter of sea water
and inflated with oxygen.