Sandfish, a type of sea cucumbers, are harvested in many parts of the tropics and exported mostly to East Asian markets.
While wild stocks are overfished, in recent years sandfish have been a focus of much applied research and practice seeking to improve techniques for mariculture. The ability for sandfish mariculture to generate environmental and social benefits is closely tied with how it is governed and how it contributes to local livelihoods.
UTS’ role in the project is focused on improving opportunities for sandfish mariculture to contribute to existing livelihoods of coastal residents in the Philippines.
Chief investigators: Professor Paul Southgate, University of the Sunshine Coast
Partner investigators:
Associate Professor Michael Fabinyi
Dr Nick McClean
Monal Lal (USC)
Marie Antonette Juinio-Meñez (University of the Philippines – Marine Science Institute)
Jon P. Altamirano (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre)
Wilfredo H. Uy (Mindanao State University Naawan)
Margarita T. de la Cruz (Guiuan Development Foundation)
Nguyen Dihn Quang Duy (Research Institute for Aquaculture, Vietnam)
Funding body: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Photo credit: Arselene Uyami-Bitara