First-phase Juvenile Rearing of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria scabra in Eastern Samar, Philippines

Experiments were conducted to optimize the nursery rearing methods for the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra at the BFAR-GMFDC, Eastern Samar. The growth performance and survivorship of juveniles were compared in different locations, seasonality, stocking densities, and rearing media. For the experiments on location and seasonality, nursery rearing was conducted in Guiuan and in Salcedo, Eastern Samar during April-May, July-August, and September-October 2018. The mean total weight gain (TWG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of juveniles were significantly better in Guiuan (3.78 g and 13.09%.d-1, respectively) compared to Salcedo (1.997 g and 11.70%.d-1, respectively) (p 0.05). Predatory crabs and parasitic isopods (Cymodoce sp.) infiltrated the net cages in Guiuan, which increased the mortality of juveniles. Highest growth and survivorship were observed during dry months in April-May 2018 (TWG of 3.71 g, survival of 71.39%) but were lowest during the wet season in September-October 2018 (TWG of 2.26 g, survival of 70.89%). However, the growth and survival results did not significantly differ among different months (p>0.05). For the experiment on stocking density, juveniles stocked at 300 ind./cage had the highest growth (TWG of 5.19 g, SGR of 13.86%.d-1) while juveniles at 1000 ind./cage had the lowest growth (TWG of 1.28 g, SGR of 10.70%.d-1) (p 0.05). In terms of rearing medium, growth was better in floating net cages (TWG of 2.60 g, SGR of 11.67%.d-1) compared to indoor tanks (TWG of 0.18 g, SGR of 6.38%.d-1). However, indoor tanks yielded higher survival rate (67.83%) than floating net cages (56.11%) (p>0.05). Higher mortality in net cages was caused by intruding predators and fluctuations in water quality