SBIR-STTR Award

This project is to determine if creative aquaculture techniques can be applied to cultivate sea cucumbers on a commercial scale. Three major experiments will test the new techniques designed for commercial application. The objectives are: I) To increase reproductive efficiency and develop associated methodologies in sea cucumber cultivation; 2) To test hatchery system design and techniques in settlement inducement and substrate preference; and 3) To develop an efficient grow out system for commercial application. Broodstock, hatchery, and nursery tanks will be designed and constructed for use in these experiments. The chosen site at Keahole provides excellent conditions for potential year round production of sea cucumbers. Royal Hawaiian Sea Farms facilities allow for efficient and effective research with capabilities for commercial application.Applications:Anticipated results will provide the techniques for year round commercial production of sea cucumbers. Fresh and dried sea cucumbers will be sold to local markets and exported to Asia. The export of sea cucumbers will significantly reduce the U.S. imbalance of seafood importation. Results will provide the basis for Phase II research and provide the necessary information to attract investment for Phase III commercial development.

The international trade in dried edible beche-de-mer sea cucumbers is worth tens of millions of dollars, and the internal market for fresh Stichopus japonicus in the orient is at least double amount. There is a strong local market for a similar species, S. horrens, in Hawaii, although the supply is limited. Royal Hawaiian Sea Farms Inc. is proposing to develop commercial aquaculture techniques for both species using the unique environ nental control capabilities made available by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii. Completed Phase I research developed successful and reliable year round techniques for spawning induction and mass larval rearing for S. horrens, as well as encouraging preliminary results for nursery and growout procedures. RHSF is proposing to continue its research on computer aquaculture concentrating on perfecting nursery and growout technology for the Hawaiian species. Several tank systems will be tested, using monoculture and polyculture with fish and macroalgae. Direct feeding with compound feed as well as indirect methods utilizing natural productivity will be compared. Additional efforts will be made to establish a broodstock population of the Japanese species and adapt existing culture technology to Hawaiian conditions.

Anticipated Results:
Phase I results indicate S. horrens can thrive and grow rapidly in monoculture and polyculture systems, utilizing supplemental and natural productivity. We anticipate one or more of the proposed systems will provide optimal culture conditions for the sea cucumbers, and at the same time be cost effective. The demand for this product in Hawaii is greater than the supply, and the retailers who currently market our other products indicate they will purchase the cucumbers. Development of this new technology for both species would expand the Hawaiian aquaculture industry, provide additional employment in rural Kona, eliminate a current import, and establish a new export to Japan.