Current Knowledge on the Biology, Ecology, and Commercial Exploitation of the Sea Cucumber Cucumaria frondosa

Abstract

Abstract The demand and high market price for sea cucumber has led to the collapse of wild stocks for many traditional species in Asia and the Indo-Pacific. New species have therefore been introduced to the markets over recent decades, including Cucumaria frondosa. A fishery for C. frondosa emerged in the USA in the 1980s and quickly developed in Iceland, Canada and Russia. Commercial products include frozen and dry body wall (beche-de-mer), frozen muscle bands, dry aquapharyngeal bulb (flower), along with various pharmaceutical and nutraceutical extracts. This species is also a candidate for aquaculture due to its high marketability for food and bioactive products. Despite its naturally high abundance, C. frondosa is a temperate-polar slow-growing species with annual spawning; therefore, a precautionary approach must be taken to develop best practices for management of this resource. The present contribution reviews the biology, ecology, biochemical properties, harvesting and trade, and the potential aquaculture of C. frondosa. This comprehensive synthesis, including 10 theses, 197 scientific papers and 47 reports, aims to provide a framework for future research by highlighting areas of concern for academic studies, fishery management, and aquaculture of cold-water sea cucumber species.