Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Sea ranching and restocking sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in Asia-Pacific

Project ID:
FIS/2003/059
Collaborating Countries:
Philippines
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
WorldFish Center, Philippines
Project Leader
Mr Len Garces
Phone: 63 2 5805659
Fax: 63 2 5805699
Email: l.garces@cgiar.org
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia
  • University of the Philippines, Philippines
  • University of the Philippines, Mindanao, Philippines
  • James Cook University, Australia
  • Tasmanian Seafoods Pty Ltd, Australia
  • National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Philippines
Project Budget:
$937,549
Project Duration:
01/06/2007 - 31/05/2011
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Mr Barney Smith
Project Overview

Stocks of sea cucumbers have been chronically over-exploited throughout the Asia-Pacific. But ACIAR-funded studies of the 'sandfish' (Holothuria scabra) - a high-value sea cucumber easily harvested from inshore habitats - have led to technologies for producing them in hatcheries (FIS/1995/703) and for releasing them in the wild (FIS/1999/025). These technologies could assist communities, and the two major objectives of this project are 1) to test a new livelihood option in the Philippines and Australia, through releasing cultured sandfish in managed inshore habitats then allowing communities to harvest them at market size after 3 years, and 2) to replenish selected sandfish populations in the Philippines through restocking into marine reserves for the purpose of building up a critical mass of spawning adults. The research will help to speed stock recovery, generate income and conserve wild breeding stocks.

Project Progress Reports
Year One

Since Project start-up on 1st June 2007 and the conduct of Project Inception meeting on 30 July - 3 August 2007 at the UP-MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory, Philippines, the following has been accomplished and they are elaborated in the Annex sections of this report:

Completed upgrading of the hatchery and initiated production of sandfish juveniles at the UP-MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory as well as sea ranching activities in two villages (i.e., Victory and Silaki) in Bolinao, Philippines;

Initiated production of sandfish juveniles for Davao node, preparation of High ponds for larval/juvenile rearing, and initial consultations with communities in Barangay Bato, Davao, Philippines);

Initiated construction of hatchery at NIFTDC in Dagupan, Philippines and aided NFRDI to produce sandfish juveniles;

Site assessments for potential restocking experiment were conducted in Northern Luzon, Philippines;

NT node coordinator continued contact with project key personnel in Australia (i.e., Warruwi Community, DAFF and Tasmanian Seafoods) while awaiting project funding from the Aboriginal Business Account;

Organization and conduct of the "Hatchery Operations Training" from 24 March to 15 April 2008 at NIFTDC and UP-MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory. The training was participated by key project staff from the Philippines, i.e., NFRDI, UP-MSI and UP-Min including BFAR Regional staff;

Organization and conduct of the "Release Strategy Workshop" on 14-18 April 2008 at NIFTDC in Dagupan and UP-MSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory. The workshop was participated by key research partners in the Philippines and Australia including scientist from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam; and

Participation of key project staff in various national meetings/reviews and planning sessions in support of the National Extension and Advisory Group.

Annex 7 indicates the Projects' Financial semi-annual report covering the period 1 December to 31 May 2008.