SEA cucumbers may be the solution to solving the food crisis, Stirling University research has shown.
The institute of aquaculture at the University of Stirling has determined that sea cucumbers – an Asian delicacy – can flourish through feeding on organic waste in the Mediterranean Sea.
The discovery means that alongside providing a high-value product, the echinoderms can reduce the environmental impacts of fish farming.
PhD researcher at the institute, Karl Cutajar, said: “This research shows the feeding connectivity between fish and sea cucumbers under marine commercial fish cages, which means that farming them together in an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system is viable.”
Alongside their environmental qualities, sea cucumbers have been found to have antibacterial properties and are currently under investigation for worldwide medicinal usage.
Cutajar continued: “Our results show that sea cucumbers take up fish farm waste and how this helps the sea cucumber to grow.
“Something that removes organic waste ... whilst being a valuable commercial product, without the need for feed input, is an exciting discovery that presents environmental and economic opportunities.”
The research formed part of the EU’s Tools for Assessment and Planning of Aquaculture Sustainability (TAPAS) project.
Alongside AquaBiotech and the University of Palermo, they used isotopes and fatty acid analysis to prove the cucumbers could process the fish waste.
Angus Sharman, of fish farm MFF Ltd in Malta, where the research took place, said: “As the demand for seafood grows, MFF Ltd strongly believes in the need for the development of sustainable aquaculture, possibly through IMTA systems such as this.
“The application of this technology across Mediterranean aquaculture now seems very possible.”
Project leader at Stirling, Trevor Telfer, said: “There is increasing interest in IMTA systems in aquaculture, as there is in circular economy systems in other industries, as a way to find sustainable solutions to future challenges in seafood production.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel