Multitrophic Integrated Aquaculture (IMTA) is a production system based on the exploitation of the existing trophic interactions in ecological communities for the rearing of commercial species from different trophic levels. IMTA of mussels and holothurians is highly attractive since both these organisms have high economic value and fundamental environmental role. Mussel farming is one of the most widespread industrial shellfish production, while sea cucumber aquaculture is a growing aquaculture sector because of overexploitation of natural stocks. Mussel and sea cucumber co-culture does not need external food input, resulting in an eco-friendly protein source production. Mussels are filter-feeders feeding on natural primary production and produce a consistent organic matter input in nearby areas that could be an attractive food source for deposit-feeder sea cucumbers. They ingest sediment and organic material, playing an important role in nutrient cycling and energy flow. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the culture of four Mediterranean sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa, H. polii, H. mammata and H. Sanctori) when integrated as extractive species in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) productive plants. The IMTA experiment was carried out in a long-line mussel farm in Gaeta (Tyrrhenian Sea) between 2022 and 2023. Sea cucumber Subadults were placed in seabed cages beneath the mussel farm for six months and sea cucumber ability to use mussel waste as trophic source was evaluated in terms of survivorship and somatic growth. Results highlighted different responses, with H. tubulosa and H. mammata presenting the best overall performance, followed by and H. sanctori, while H. polii presented the poorest compatibility with mussel co-culture. Findings confirmed the value of combining mussels and holothurians in a multitrophic and eco-sustainable production system, but also highlighted that these species have different trophic ecology and culture requirements despite elonging to the same trophic level.
Rakaj, A., Fianchini, A., Pensa, D., Magdy, M., Grosso, L., Cirimminna, L., et al. (2023). Toward benthic health in mussel productive areas: evaluation of sea cucumbers as extractive species in Multitrophic-Integrated Aquaculture with mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis. In XXXII Congresso Annuale della Società Italiana di Ecologia (pp.161-161). Catania.
Toward benthic health in mussel productive areas: evaluation of sea cucumbers as extractive species in Multitrophic-Integrated Aquaculture with mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis
Rakaj A.
Conceptualization
;Fianchini A.;Pensa D.;Grosso L.;
2023-09-09
Abstract
Multitrophic Integrated Aquaculture (IMTA) is a production system based on the exploitation of the existing trophic interactions in ecological communities for the rearing of commercial species from different trophic levels. IMTA of mussels and holothurians is highly attractive since both these organisms have high economic value and fundamental environmental role. Mussel farming is one of the most widespread industrial shellfish production, while sea cucumber aquaculture is a growing aquaculture sector because of overexploitation of natural stocks. Mussel and sea cucumber co-culture does not need external food input, resulting in an eco-friendly protein source production. Mussels are filter-feeders feeding on natural primary production and produce a consistent organic matter input in nearby areas that could be an attractive food source for deposit-feeder sea cucumbers. They ingest sediment and organic material, playing an important role in nutrient cycling and energy flow. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the culture of four Mediterranean sea cucumbers (Holothuria tubulosa, H. polii, H. mammata and H. Sanctori) when integrated as extractive species in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) productive plants. The IMTA experiment was carried out in a long-line mussel farm in Gaeta (Tyrrhenian Sea) between 2022 and 2023. Sea cucumber Subadults were placed in seabed cages beneath the mussel farm for six months and sea cucumber ability to use mussel waste as trophic source was evaluated in terms of survivorship and somatic growth. Results highlighted different responses, with H. tubulosa and H. mammata presenting the best overall performance, followed by and H. sanctori, while H. polii presented the poorest compatibility with mussel co-culture. Findings confirmed the value of combining mussels and holothurians in a multitrophic and eco-sustainable production system, but also highlighted that these species have different trophic ecology and culture requirements despite elonging to the same trophic level.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
