Scaling up community based sea cucumber culture in Vietnam and the Philippines

Sandfish, a type of sea cucumbers, are harvested in many parts of the tropics and exported mostly to East Asian markets.

Four sea cucumber being held up to the camera

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

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.