Developing technologies for restocking sandfish: Update on the WorldFish-SPC project in New Caledonia.

Abstract

The WorldFish Center project to develop strategies for restocking sea cucumbers is now in its fourth year. Its main purpose is to develop optimal release strategies for the restocking of sandfish (Holothuria scabra). Experiments in 2004-2005 at the hatchery north of Noumea (New Caledonia) have refined new methods to grow sandfish juveniles in net enclosures within earthen shrimp ponds up to large sizes for release. WorldFish conducted sampling and genetic analysis on H. scabra. A large-scale release experiment, consisting of the release of juvenile sandfish into large sea pens began in April 2005. If the large-scale release experiment indicates that restocking sandfish through the release of hatchery-produced juveniles is economically viable, this strategy will provide a way forward for restoring breeding populations that were overfished to levels to low to all natural recovery.