The very high demand and increasing market prices for sea cucumber products has driven many coastal communities especially in resource-rich countries, like the Philippines and others in Asia and Pacific, to exploit sea cucumbers for livelihood. Unregulated collection has led to dwindling numbers and smaller sizes of wild stocks. Fortunately, there are efforts to rebuild sea cucumber populations and alleviate economic stress of coastal people using hatchery-produced seeds in community-based sea cucumber farming.
In this presentation, we describe one aspect of the project supported by ACIAR (FIS/2016/122), aiming to assess the capacity of island-based communities in the production of the tropical sea cucumber or sandfish Holothuria scabra. We present the template case of Molocaboc Island, in central Philippines engaged in sandfish aquaculture with technical support from SEAFDEC/AQD.
Baseline results highlighted the collection of even the smallest sandfish around the island, due to low awareness about ecological and economic sustainability, and the absence of harvest regulations. Women and children were the primary sea cucumber collectors, opportunistically gleaning in the shallows. Catch were sold to local traders in gutted or pre-processed form at very low prices proportional to size and processing quality.
During the project, educational campaigns and training activities were conducted in various aspects of sandfish aquaculture – from the hatchery, nursery, grow-out, sea ranching and processing. Actual demonstrations of the best practices in the culture process and value chain of sandfish were effective in enhancing awareness and capabilities of local partners, while local government enacted relevant regulations. Even during the restrictive times of the COVID19 pandemic, sea cucumber stocks were maintained and monitored in the nurseries and ranch. Furthermore, active engagement among partners (i.e. local community, government, technical and funding institutions) in the planning and implementation of activities has ignited the growing interest of many others, including women members, to participate even in tasks originally participated in by men (e.g. guarding duties at night).
Based on our case, the following are key in establishing and sustaining a community-based sea cucumber production venture : (1) environmental suitability of site; (2) committed organized community with strong decisive leadership; (3) sustained long-term commitment from government and financial support institutions; (4) reliable sources of seeds or an on-site hatchery; (5) efficient and updated technical support; and (6) clear trade and market channels.