BASIC INFORMATION
This course arises for presenting basic/applied concepts and methodologies linked with the sea cucumber aquaculture, but adapted and developed to native commercial species from Europe and Africa. The course is including theoretical and practical lessons, which will allow to the attendants learn basic concepts and abilities about sea cucumber aquaculture that will be able to implement to culture regional species.
This course is aimed at professionals linked with the aquaculture sector but also, students interested on this subject, public officials from Fishery and Aquaculture Departments, investors, researchers, managers, etc. The professors teaching this course, have a deep experience and training focused on sea cucumber aquaculture (https://www.wangumar.com/about-us/). In fact, they are a successful example of R&D&I transference from Research Center/University to private companies (https://www.wangumaqua.com/about-us/).
- Location: Arrecife (Lanzarote, Canary islands, Spain)
- Instituto De Formación Profesional Marítimo-Pesquero de Canarias GOOGLE MAPS
- Dates (two editions):
- July 10th– 14th 2023
- July 17th– 21st 2023
- Theoretical hours: 22 h
- Practical hours: 20 h
- Limited availability: 20 attendees/course
- Fees: 390 euros
Accommodation in arrecife
Transfer Options
Lanzarote Airport, Spain (ACE) | AirMundo
Transport Options from Lanzarote airport to Arrecife (welcomepickups.com)
PRELIMINARY PLANNING
8:15-10:15 – (2 h)
Unit 0. PRESENTATION (30 min)
0.1 Presentation: WANGUMAR & WANGUMAQUA SLU.
0.2 Presentation: Course “SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE, WHY NOT?” (topics & themes & timetable & teaching & planning & organization).
Unit 1. SEA CUCUMBERS (1.5 h)
1.1 Taxonomy: main groups and keys to right identification.
1.2 Biology: Basic internal and external morphology.
1.3 Physiology: Reproduction and osmotic control.
1.3 Ecology: role in the marine ecosystem.
1.5 Behaviour: feeding and defence.
10:15-10:45 COFFEE BREAK
10:45-12:45 – (2 h)
Unit 2. SEA CUCUMBER AS FISHERY RESOURCE (2h)
2.1 Background on sea cucumber catches and market in Asian countries: evolution and expansion of its fishery. Consumption: nutritional profile & health (medicinal properties).
2.2 Current fisheries in Mediterranean and NE Atlantic regions. New target species. Negative over-fishing effects.
2.3 Fisheries Management Plan on sea cucumbers (moratoria, fishery effort control, rotational catches, marine protected areas (MPAs), restocking from aquaculture, etc).
12:45-14:30 LUNCH TIME
14:30-17:30 – (3 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Walking & Snorkeling & Free diving in Charco de San Ginés and area close to San Gabriel Castle;
– Sea cucumber sampling (species identification “in vivo”; density & abundance; settlement areas for juveniles);
– Adults and juveniles handling;
– Recording length/weight/ health status;
– Study of external and internal morphology.
8:15-10:15 – (2 h)
Unit 3. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
3.1 Short sea cucumber aquaculture history: origin and geographical areas.
3.2 Sea cucumber aquaculture modalities.
3.3 Traditional target species: production and markets.
3.4 New candidates for sea cucumber aquaculture from Mediterranean and NE Atlantic.
10:15-10:45 COFFEE BREAK
10:45-12:45 – (2 h)
Unit 4. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: METHODOLOGY I
4.1 Brief remind about reproduction and behaviour.
4.2 Selection of breeders: morphological and genetic criteria for aquaculture production & restocking.
4.3 Stabling conditions for breeders (habitat, water renewal, aeration, feeding, density, etc).
4.4 Verification gonad status (gonadosomatic index, IGS & seasonality).
4.5 Methodologies for induction of reproduction.
4.6 Environmental conditions for reproduction.
4.7 Male and female behaviour during reproduction.
4.8 Oocytes maturation.
12:45-14:30 LUNCH TIME
14:30-16:00 – (1.5 h)
Unit 4. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: METHODOLOGY I
4.9 External fecundation and first division stages.
4.10 Management of eggs, stabling in tanks.
4.11 Reproduction in vitro.
20:30-23:30 – (3 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Training different methodologies for reproduction’ induction in species from Canary islands;
– Observation of breeders’ behaviour;
– Recording fecundation “in vivo”;
– Training on eggs’ collection;
– Monitoring cells’ division.
8:15-10:15 – (2 h)
Unit 5. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: METHODOLOGY II
5.1 Larval stages of sea cucumber (phases, morphology).
5.2 Stabling pelagic larvae (requirements: tanks’ features, aeration, water renewal, density of larvae, feeding).
5.3 Stabling benthic larvae (requirements: settlement tanks, structures & biofilm, aeration, water renewal, density, feeding).
10:15-10:45 COFFEE BREAK
10:45-12:45 – (2 h)
5.4 Stabling juveniles on settlement structures in tanks and “seeding” (requirements, timing, extraction from plates, moving to nursery on sand, feeding).
5.5 Control of survival, growth rates, deformities, etc.
12:45-14:30 LUNCH TIME
14:30-17:00 – (2.5 h)
PRACTICAL WORK (if working the induction for reproduction during the previous day)
– Monitoring eggs’ development;
– Calculating spawning indexes (males & females) and fecundation rate;
– Assessment of potential deformities;
– Tasks of maintenance (cleaning tanks, filters, valves, aerators, etc).
20:30-23:30 – (3 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Training different methodologies for reproduction’ induction in species from Canary islands;
– Observation of breeders’ behaviour;
– Recording fecundation “in vivo”;
– Training on eggs’ collection;
– Monitoring cells’ division;
8:15-10:15 – (2 h)
Unit 6. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: METHODOLOGY III
6.1 Stabulation conditions of juveniles and adults: density, feeding, behaviour.
6.2 Sea cucumber monoculture (fattening of juveniles and pre-adults).
6.3 Main diseases on larvae, juveniles and adults: natural and “conventional” treatments.
10:15-10:45 COFFEE BREAK
10:45-12:45 – (2 h)
Unit 7. INTEGRATE MULTI-TROPHIC AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS (IMTA)
7.1 Principles of multi-trophic aquaculture systems.
7.2 Sea cucumber culture on IMTA systems (on land and off shore).
7.3 Economical and environmental benefits from IMTA systems including sea cucumber.
12:45-14:30 LUNCH TIME
14:30-17:00 – (2.5 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Monitoring eggs & larvae development;
– Spawning indexes (males & females) and fecundation rate;
– Assessment of possible deformities;
– Monitoring diseases on larvae;
– Monitoring the development of early-auricularia larvae;
– Larvae feeding;
– Water renewal from larvae tanks;
– Tasks of maintenance (cleaning tanks, filters, valves, aerators, etc).
20:30-23:30 – (3 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Training different methodologies for reproduction’ induction in species from Canary islands;
– Observation of breeders’ behaviour;
– Recording fecundation “in vivo”;
– Training on eggs collection;
– Monitoring cells’ division;
– Monitoring the first early-auricularia larvae;
– Larvae feeding;
8:15-10:15 – (2 h)
Unit 8. PROCESSING SEA CUCUMBERS (BÊCHE-DE-MER, KONOWATA, KONOKO) & HEALTH/ COSMOCEUTICAL APPLICATIONS
8.1 Methodologies for bêche-de-mer processing.
8.2 Product quality and economical values.
8.3 Other products: komowata, konoki, podwer from intestine, etc.
8.4. Health and Cosmeceutical applications: bioactive substances, UV protection, etc.
10:15-10:45 COFFEE BREAK
10:45-12:45- (2 h)
Unit 9. SEA CUCUMBER AQUACULTURE: COMPANIES IN NUMBERS
9.1 Business Plan.
9.2 Needs (infra-structures, facilities, staff, etc).
9.3 Investment & Benefits.
9.4 Funding (grants, loans, etc).
9.5 Knowhow & Patents.
9.6 Licenses.
9.7 Examples of private companies focused on sea cucumber aquaculture around world.
12:45-14:30 LUNCH TIME
14:30-17:30 – (3 h)
PRACTICAL WORK
– Monitoring larvae development;
– Assessment of possible deformities;
– Monitoring diseases on larvae;
– Larvae feeding;
– Water renewal from larvae tanks;
– Tasks of maintenance (cleaning tanks, filters, valves, aerators, etc).
17:30-18:30 – (1 h)
CLOSURE
– Conclusions and closure.