A slimy, squishy invertebrate could create a more sustainable aquaculture industry, researcher says

Large purple sea cucumbers are just like the janitors of the ocean ground — they feed on natural supplies within the sediment, mentioned Emaline Montgomery, a marine biologist and analysis affiliate at North Island Faculty in Courtenay, B.C.

That natural materials tends to gather at aquaculture websites, the place fish and shellfish are in a extra enclosed house, she mentioned.

“In any case, everyone poops,” Montgomery mentioned.

However that may have destructive impacts on the atmosphere.

Montgomery, whose analysis focuses on the co-cultivation of species for sustainability in aquaculture, says that is the place sea cucumbers might turn out to be useful.

“The ocean cucumber finally act like little rubbish vehicles or recycling amenities to assist Hoover up and clear up the sediments that may be overly enriched close to farm websites,” she mentioned.

Rising sea cucumbers alongside fish and shellfish at fish farms might make the business extra sustainable and extra worthwhile, too.

There’s a multi-billion greenback world business for sea cucumbers and sea cucumbers merchandise, Montgomery mentioned.

Canada’s piece of that business is comparatively small however could possibly be bigger if sea cucumbers develop into extra built-in in co-cultivation, she added.

Sustainability is in everybody’s greatest curiosity: researcher

Canada would not have a strong manner of rising sea cucumbers from juveniles to adults in hatcheries prefer it does with geoducks, oysters and clams.

Montgomery is working with the aquaculture business to search out methods of utilizing current infrastructure to search out containment techniques that would assist develop them, like nets that may be suspended beneath rafts or on the ocean ground.

“Utilizing both recycled supplies or internet techniques that exist already means we’re reducing the barrier to entry for small growers,” she mentioned.

COVID has posed challenges however Montgomery says she’s obtained “actually, actually constructive” curiosity in collaboration from the aquaculture business and plans to proceed this analysis within the lab and within the area. 

She sees her analysis as an progressive method to carry extra sustainability to the business. 

“It is to everybody’s greatest curiosity if we’re capable of enhance the sustainability and well being of our aquaculture business, each from an environmental perspective but in addition offering new income streams and job alternatives for individuals,” Montgomery mentioned.

“If the whole lot works as we’re anticipating, sea cucumbers could possibly be one thing that could possibly be grown at any present aquaculture facility.”