Malaysia looks for commercial sea cucumber farming methods

A team of researchers from the University of Malaysian Science (USM) has found a new way to grow sea cucumbers for commercial purposes, contributing to saving this species from extinction.

Associate Professor Dr. Farid Che Ghazali - USM's School of Medical Sciences - said the study was done on stellar sea cucumber (scientific name Stichopus vastus ) through an incubation method.

Accordingly, the research team multiplied the amount of sea cucumbers through closed-circuit incubators using treated seawater. This technique involves various processes such as harvesting broodstock, stimulating egg laying, breeding through mating or asexual and rearing larvae in cages.

Farid said cage culture techniques need a temperature of 27 to 30 degrees Celsius and this species must be placed in a dark position. Furthermore, sustainable incubators will increase the number of this species and reduce dependence on the wild habitat. This technique is quite simple and involves devices, such as cement, a small storage house and salt water.

He added that the study was conducted on Stichopus vastus because it can extract substances used in cancer, diabetes and aging vaccines.

He said that with this discovery, businesses can now shoot a double-hit arrow that has just raised sea cucumbers to save them from the danger of extinction and also to boost the economy by exporting because of prices. treat their medications.

Research by USM scientists began in 2008 with a budget of RM2 million (nearly US $ 650,000) funded by the Malaysian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. .