Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Potential and Challenges of Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra Mariculture in Sabah, Malaysia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Marine Biotechnology: Applications in Food, Drugs and Energy

  • 281 Accesses

Abstract

Sea cucumbers in Sabah, Malaysia, appear to be heavily fished, especially the high-value tropical sea cucumber Holotuira scabra, often known as sandfish. Due to its high protein and low-fat contents as well as the presence of various bioactive compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities, H. scabra is in high demand on a global scale. Despite overfishing, there is no government regulation to prevent the situation from worsening. Farming activities still rely on wild seeds and this situation needs to be discontinued for sustainability reasons. Sandfish seed production in hatcheries is being developed to meet the needs of the aquaculture industry. The established technique of hatchery production will enable a constant supply of sandfish juveniles. Artificial spawning using several methods, including heat shock, dryness, and diet stimulants has been well established. However, larvae and juvenile rearing remain the major constraint in the production due to very low survival rates. More research is urged to establish the larval-rearing technique as well as the grow-out system. The sea ranching programme of H. scabra for stock enhancement not only depends on the success of hatchery seed production, but it also requires the cooperation of community members to enable proper fisheries management that could be done to ensure the sustainability of the resources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abidin NA, Sitti Raehanah MS, Ching F, Othman R, Manjaji-Mutsumoto M, Senoo S, Mustafa S (2016) Larval development of induced spawned sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in hatchery. Int J Aquat Sci 7(2):107–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Abidin NA, Muhamad Shaleh SR, Ching FF, Othman R, Manjaji-Matsumoto M, Mustafa S, Senoo S (2019) Appropriate diet and stocking density for sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra) larvae rearing. J Phys Conf Ser 1358:012015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agudo NS (2006) Sandfish hatchery techniques. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Agudo NS (2012) Pond grow-out trials for sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in New Caledonia. In: Hair CA, Pickering TD, Mills DJ (eds) Asia-pacific tropical sea cucumber aquaculture. Canprint Communications Pty Ltd, Canberra, pp 104–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson SC, Flemming JM, Watson R, Lotze HK (2010) Serial exploitation of global sea cucumber fisheries. In: Fish and fisheries. Blackwell, Hoboken

    Google Scholar 

  • Arsad NA, Othman R, Sitti Raehanah MS, Ching FF, Manjaji-Matsumoto M (2020) Effects of physicochemical parameters on the reproductive pattern of sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Sabah. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 42(1):109–116

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asha PS, Diwakar K, Santhanavalli G, Manissery MK (2015) Comparative distribution and habitat preference of the sea cucumber Holothuria atra Jaeger at protected and unprotected sites in Thoothukudi region of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India. Indian J Fish 62(1):52–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahrami Y, Zhang W, Franco C (2014) Discovery of novel saponins from the viscera of the sea cucumber Holothuria lessoni. Mar Drugs 12(5):2633–2667

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baskar BK (1994) Some observations on the biology of the Holothurian Holothuria (Metriatyla) scabra (Jaeger). Bull Centre Mar Fish Res Inst 46:39–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Battaglene SC (1999) Culture of tropical sea cucumbers for stock restoration and enhancement. ICLARM Q 22(4):4–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Battaglene SC, Syemour JE, Ramofafia C, Lane I (2002) Spawning induction of three tropical sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra, H. fuscogilva and Actinopyga mauritiana. Aquaculture 207:29–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell JD, Purcell SW, Nash WJ (2008) Restoring small-scale fisheries for tropical sea-cucumber. Ocean Coast Manag 51:589–593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choo PS (2008) Population status, fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in Asia. In: Toral-Granda V, Lovatelli A, Vasconcellos M (eds) Sea cucumbers. A global review of fisheries and trade. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 516. FAO, Rome, pp 81–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Choo PS (2012) The sea cucumber fishery in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. SPC Trepang Inf Bull 32:43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabbagh AR, Sedaghat MR (2012) Breeding and rearing of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Iran. SPC Beche-de-mer Inf Bull 32:49–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Demeuldre M, Eeckhaut I (2012) Gonad development in the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra Jaeger, 1833. SPC Beche-de-mer Inf Bull 32:15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2006) State of world aquaculture 2006. FAO fisheries technical paper no 500. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortes MD (1995) Seagrasses: a resource unknown in the ASEAN region. ICLARM Education Series 5. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, p 46

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamel JF, Conand C, Pawson DL, Mercier A (2001) The sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata): its biology and exploitation as Beche-de-Mer. In: Southward AJ, Young CM, Tyler PA, Fuiman LA (eds) Advance in marine biology, vol 41. Academic Press, London, pp 129–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamel J-H, Mercier A (2004) Synchronous gamete maturation and reliable spawning induction method in Holothurians. Aquacult Adv:359–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamel J-F, Mercier A, Conand C, Purcell S, Toral-Granda T-G, Gamboa R (2013) Holothuria scabra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:e.T180257A1606648. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180257A1606648.en

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartati R, Trianto A, Widianingsih (2017) Habitat characteristics of two selected location for sea cucumber ranching purposes

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoareau T, Conand C (2001) Sexual reproduction of Stichopus chloronotus, a Fissiparous Sea Cucumber, on Reunion Island, Indian Ocean. SPC Beche-de-mer Inf Bull 15:4–12

    Google Scholar 

  • James DB, Gandhi AD, Palaniswamy N, Rodrigo JX (1994) Hatchery techniques and culture of the sea-cucumber Holothuria scabra. Paico Printing Press, Cochin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamarudin KR, Rehan AM, Hashim R, Usup G (2010) An update on diversity of sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in Malaysia. Malay Nat J 62(3):315–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazanidis G, Lolas A, Vafidis D (2014) Reproductive cycle of the traditionally exploited sea cucumber Holothuria tubulosa (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida) in Pagasitikos Gulf, Western Aegean Sea, Greece. Turkish J Zool 38:306–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarz M, Mohammadikia D, Dabbagh AR, Kamrani E (2015) Reproductive biology of the sea cucumbers for successful breeding: a review. J Anim Prod Adv 2(5):208–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuganathan S (2014) Sea cucumbers status and culture potential in the Jaffna Lagoon, Sri Lanka. Department of Fisheries University of Jaffna, Jaffna

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumara A, Dissanayake C (2015) Preliminary study on broodstock rearing, induced breeding and grow-out culture of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Sri Lanka. Aquac Res 48:1058–1069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumara PADA, Jayanatha JS, Pushpakumara J, Bandara W, Dissanayake DCT (2013) Artificial breeding and larval rearing of three tropical sea cucumber species – Holothuria scabra, Pseudocolochirus violaceus and Colochirus quadrangularis – in Sri Lanka. SPC Trepang Inf Bull 33:30–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Lotavelli A, Conand C, Purcell SW, Uthicke S, Hamel F, Mercier A (2004) Advances in sea cucumber aquaculture and management. FAO, fisheries technical paper no 463. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Mary Bai M (1994) Studies on regeneration in the holothurian Holothuria (Meriatyla) scabra Jaeger. In: Rengarajan K, James DB (eds) Proceedings of the National Workshop on Beche-de-mer. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Cochin, pp 44–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazlan N, Hashim R (2015) Spawning induction and larval rearing of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Malaysia. SPC Beche-de-mer information Bulletin #35

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercier A, Battagleme SC, Hamel JF (1999) Daily burrowing cycle and feeding activity of juvenile sea cucumbers Holothuria scabra in response to environmental factors. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 239:125–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercier A, Ycaza RH, Hamel J-F (2007) Long-term study of gamete release in a broadcast-spawning Holothurian: predictable lunar and diel periodicities. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 329:179–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mills DJ, Duy NDQ, Juinio-Menez MA, Raison CM, Zarate JM (2012) Overview of sea cucumber aquaculture and sea-ranching research in the south-east Asian region. In: Hair CA, Pickering TD, Mills DJ (eds) Proceeding of an international symposium held in Noumea, New Caledonia. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, pp 22–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan AD (2000) Induction of spawning in the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). J World Aquacult Soc 31(2):186–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthiga NA, Kawaka J (2008) The effects of temperature and light on the gametogenesis and spawning of four sea urchin and one sea cucumber species on coral reefs in Kenya. In: Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, pp 356–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Muthiga NA, Kawaka JA, Ndirangu S (2009) The timing and reproductive output of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria scabra on the Kenyan Coast. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 84:353–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pangkey H, Lantu S, Manuand L, Mokolensang J (2012) Prospect of sea cucumber culture in Indonesia as potential food sources. J Coast Dev 15(2):114–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Perez ML, Brown EO (2012) Market potential and challenges for expanding the production of sea cucumber in South-East Asia. In: Hair CA, Pickering TD, Mills DJ (eds) Asia-Pacific tropical sea cucumber aquaculture. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, pp 177–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Pietrak M, Kim JK, Redmond S, Kim Y-D, Yarish C, Bricknell I (2014) Culture of sea cucumbers in Korea: a guide to Korean methods and the local sea cucumber in the northeast U.S. Maine Sea Grant College Program, Orono, Seagrant.umaine.edu/extension/korea-aquaculture

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitt R (2001) Review of sandfish breeding and rearing methods. SPC Beche-de-mer Inf Bull 14:14–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitt R, Duy NDQ (2003) Breeding and culture of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Vietnam. Aquacult Asia 8(1):36–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Plotieau T, Baele J-M, Vaucher R, Hasler C-A, Koudad D, Eeckhaut I (2013) Analysis of the impact of Holothuria scabra intensive farming on sediment. Cah Biol Mar 54:703–711

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell SW, Lovatelli A, Vasconcellos M, Ye Y (2010) Managing sea cucumber fisheries with an ecosystem approach. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell SW, Conand C, Uthicke S, Byrne M (2016) Ecological roles of exploited sea cucumbers. Oceanogr Mar Biol Annu Rev 54:367–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Purwati E, Radu S, Ismail A, Kqueen CY, Maurice L (2003) Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from chicken meat: evidence of conjugal transfer of plasmid-mediated resistance to antibiotic. J Anim Vet Adv

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramofafia C, Byrne M, Battaglene CS (2003) Reproduction of the commercial sea cucumber Holothuria scabra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Solomon Islands. Mar Biol 142:281–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasolofonirina R, Vaitilingon D, Eeckhaut I, Jangoux M (2005) Reproductive cycle of Edible Echinoderms from the South-Western Indian Ocean. Western Indian Ocean J Mar Sci 4(1):61–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson G, Pascal B (2009) From hatchery to community – Madagascar’s first village-based holothurian mariculture programme. SPC Inf Bull 29:38–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe FWE (1982) Papers from the Echinoderm Conference. Australian Museum, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Sicuro B, Levine J (2011) Sea cucumber in the Mediterranean: a potential species for aquaculture in the Mediterranean. Rev Fish Sci 19(3):299–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troell M (2009) Integrated marine and brackish water aquaculture in tropical regions: research, implementation and prospects. In: Soto D (ed) Integrated mariculture: a global review. FAO fisheries and aquaculture technical paper no 529. FAO, Rome, pp 47–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Uthicke S (2001) Nutrient regeneration by abundant coral reef holothurians. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 265:153–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uthicke S (2004) Overfishing of holothurians: lesson from the Great Barrier Reef. In: Lovatelli A, Conand C, Purcell S, Uthicke S, Hamel JH, Mercier A (eds) Advances in sea cucumber aquaculture and management. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, pp 193–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaitilingon D, Smith S, Watson G, Miller T, Alattas S, Hock KO, Zainoddin J, Zaidnuddin I, Azhar H (2016) Sea cucumber hatchery seed production in Malaysia: from research and development, to pilot-scale production of the sandfish Holothuria scabra. SPC Trepang Inf Bull 36:67–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe S, Sumbing JG, Lebata-Ramos MJH (2014) Growth pattern of the tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, under captivity. JARQ 48(4):457–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This project was financially supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, under the Niche Research Grant Scheme (NRGS0002).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh, Rafidah Othman & Fui Fui Ching

Authors
  1. Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rafidah Othman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fui Fui Ching
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    Muhammad Dawood Shah

  2. Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    Julian Ransangan

  3. Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

    Balu Alagar Venmathi Maran

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Muhamad Shaleh, S., Othman, R., Ching, F.F. (2023). Potential and Challenges of Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra Mariculture in Sabah, Malaysia. In: Shah, M.D., Ransangan, J., Venmathi Maran, B.A. (eds) Marine Biotechnology: Applications in Food, Drugs and Energy. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0624-6_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation