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Recent Advances in Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra) Mariculture in the Philippines
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Recent Advances in Sea Cucumber (Holothuria scabra) Mariculture in the Philippines

Jay C. Gorospe, Monal M. Lal and Paul C. Southgate
Journal of Shellfish Research, Vol.45(1), pp.209-230
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2983/035.045.0120
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035.045.01201.61 MBDownloadView
Published Version Open Access CC BY-NC-ND V4.0

Abstract

Holothuria scabra sea cucumber sea pens sea ranching sea-based nursery coculture genetics conservation
Sandfish, Holothuria scabra, is among the most commercially valuable and heavily exploited species of tropical sea cucumber and is traded predominantly to China. This article presents an overview of recent advances and current practices in sandfish mariculture in the Philippines. Molecular approaches for fishery management, conservation, domestication, and culture of sandfish in the Philippines are also discussed. Research on the development of sandfish mariculture began in the Philippines in 2000. Current production is achieved in both land- and sea-based culture systems. Hatcheries can now produce an estimated average of 17,000 sandfish juveniles (1–3 g) annually; however, commercial-scale production of market-size sandfish is yet to be achieved with communal sea cucumber ranches yet to demonstrate feasibility and economic benefit despite two decades of research and development. Expanding partnerships with aquaculture operators and integration of sandfish culture within existing mariculture activities may result in increased adoption of sandfish culture with resulting economic benefits. This approach may provide opportunities to diversify aquaculture production in the Philippines, broaden community livelihood options, increase efficiency and profitability of sandfish culture, and help mitigate some negative environmental impacts of aquaculture through bioremediation. Linking farmers directly with hatcheries producing a reliable and inexpensive supply of sandfish and other target species, such as finfish juveniles, may support further development and expansion of integrated culture of sandfish and other commodities, in the Philippines. The development of molecular approaches to inform sustainable sandfish mariculture and fishery management has advanced considerably over the past decade in the Philippines, making it one of only seven countries now equipped with baseline population genetic profiles of their native stocks. The authors summarize marker development efforts and their application for informing hatchery production, stock translocation, population assignment, and stock traceability in the country. The potential utility of emerging molecular tools such as environmental DNA and marker-assisted selection is also discussed.

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