Bioenergetic model for the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa

The sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa has been traditionally fished by Indigenous Peoples in Nunavut and commercially fished since the 1980s in Atlantic Canada. This sea cucumber is an important component in the traditional medicine of several Asian countries, which drives its demand. As a recently developed fishery, there is limited knowledge about the biology of the sea cucumber, particularly about its growth rate. The implementation of science-based management plans to ensure the sustainability of this species requires filling these critical knowledge gaps. Accordingly, this project aims to generate scientific knowledge about this sea cucumber that could contribute to the sustainable exploitation of this emerging fishery. This goal arises in partnership with Ocean Pride Fisheries Ltd., a Nova Scotia company that is the largest vertically integrated sea cucumber operation in North America. To accomplish this goal, we will transfer sea cucumbers to the Aquatron Seawater Laboratory (Dalhousie University) where we will simulate the conditions at which the sea cucumbers are exposed in the ocean. Under these controlled conditions, we will be able to measure growth as well as feeding and respiration rates. We will use all information collected during these experiments to create a mathematical model to predict the growth of the sea cucumber. The model could be used to inform fisheries management and contribute to defining sustainable practices for this species. Furthermore, the project will provide an excellent opportunity for students to gain diverse skills, from technical skills by working at the Aquatron, Canada's largest university aquatic research facility, to scientific research and communication skills. Therefore, the project will not only contribute to gathering information to ensure the sustainability of a Canadian public resource, but will also train the future generation of marine scientists and managers.