New-style Artificial Reefs and Facilities

for the Culture and Stock Enhancement

of Apostichopus japonicus

YANG Hongsheng

INSTITUTE OF OCEANOLOGY ，CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

October 20, 2012

Contents

New artificial reefs & facilities2

Look into the future4

Introduction31

Integrated utilization33

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Basic information of A. japonicus

Sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) is a typical temperate species feeding on detritus and other organic matter. The adults live on muddy and sandy bottoms at shallower depths, especially area with seaweed or sea grass.

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Distribution of A. japonicus

Along the northwest coast of Pacific ocean, from 35ºN to 44ºN, including Russia Far East , Japan, Korean peninsula and Northern Yellow Sea in China.

Biggest production value among all the mariculture species.

Aquaculture production(130.3 thousand tons.) accounts for 0.88% of all maritulture production in 2010.

Prodution value ( 26 billion Yuan) accounts for 15.79% of all mariculture in 2010.

The Annals of Fishery in China （ 2006-2011 ）

Production of A. japonicus seedlings in China ( 0.1 billion ）

Production of A. japonicus in China ( ton ）

Status of A. japonicus aquaculture in ChinaInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Traditional ways of aquaculture: pond and shallow sea

A. japonicus aquaculture in seawater pond and renewed shrimp pond or ranching in shallow.Seabed improvement is needed for building a suitable aquaculture environmentFacilities: rocks, tiles, bricks, pots, elongated net cages

Cofferdam aquaculture

Pond aquaculture

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Contents

New artificial reefs & facilities2

Look into the future4

Introduction31

Integrated utilization33

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Innovation Points

G１New artificial reefs & facilities

for sea cucumber cultured in non suitable regions

G２New artificial reefs & facilities

for increasing aquaculture production

G ３New artificial reefs &

facilities for realizing the ecological diversity of mariculture system

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Technique Principle and characteristics ：Oyster shells are abundant and cost effective

Oyster shells are excellent substrate for microalgae

Can be assembled and deployed easily, and be used to form efficient

upwelling

Mass deployment can form seaweed beds and can provide habitat for

fishes.

1. Oyster shell reefInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Parameters ValuesDimension 40-100cm (diameter)Weight 25-75kgQuantity per unit 4-10 single reefConfiguration Cone

Desity of sea cucumber: 17.8 ind/ ｍ 2

Distance from the reefs: ＜ 80 cm

Oyster shell reefInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

In none suitable region in Jiaozhou Bay, the density of

A. japonicus is as high as 17.8 ind/sqm in oyster shell

reefs with11 individuals per reef.

The efficiency of oyster shell reefs production is 5 times

higher using a unique device than manual production,

realizing the large-scale production and implement of

oyster shell reefs.

Oyster shell reefInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Principle and effects ：Increase the efficiency of making oyster shell reef

Integrate the supporting and sealing of mesh bag

Protect the workers from being injured

2.Equipement for making Oyster shell reefInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

3.Equipement for Deploying Oyster shell reef

Principle and effects ：Increase the efficiency of deployment

20-30 tons per boat

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Wave-proof sinking rope culture facilities solve the macroalgae

culture problem in high current areas.

In Haizhou Bay,Gracilaria lemaneiformis gained 30 times of its

initial weight in 2 months, making a product of 1200kg/acre,

creating a fine habitat and natural bait for A. japonicus bottom

culture.

4. Wave-proof sinking rope culture facilities

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Parameters Values

String length 3-5m

Weight of stone 12-20kg

Buoyancy of Buoy 0.5-1kg

Illumination About 1500lux

Depth 8-12mType of bottom All kinds of substrates

Cultured species Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum thunbergii

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Wave-proof sinking rope culture facilities

Innovation Points

G１New artificial reefs & facilities

for sea cucumber cultured in non suitable regions

G２New artificial reefs & facilities

for increasing aquaculture production

G ３New artificial reefs &

facilities for Realizing the ecological diversity of mariculture system

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Artificial reef models

Aperture Colour

Interval Spacing Included Angle

Dimensions ：70×70×35cmMaterial ：PVC corrugated plate

Dimensions ：60×60×60cmMaterial ：beton

Dimensions ：70×35×35cmMaterial ：PVC corrugated plate

Dimensions ：40×40×30cmMaterial ：PVC plate

Sketch map

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Key parameters of the facility

Distance ： 2cm

Bore diameter:2cm

Angle ： 15°

Color ： BlackAggregation effect

Optimal parameter

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

We developed this new type reef to perform pool and

cofferdam culture of A. japonicus.

The multi-layer design fully utilizes water body with a

great number of bait organisms habiting on the layers

which attracts A. japonicus to habit.

1. Multi-layer, plate-type reefInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

3. Integrated three-floor artificial reef

Integrated three-floor artificial reef can be used to build seaweed bed, raise seafood at the bottom of the marine and gather economic fish. Each reef can gather 5 A. japonicus and 6 wild economic fish.

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Innovation Points

G１New artificial reefs & facilities

for sea cucumber cultured in non suitable regions

G２New artificial reefs & facilities

for increasing aquaculture production

G ３New artificial reefs &

facilities for Realizing the ecological diversity of mariculture system

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

22

Principle and characteristics ：Increase substrata of seaweed, supply more food

easy to harvest and manage

Escape from high temperature in summer for Chlamys farreri,

increase survival rate and decrease fouling organismssurvival rate ：Suspended culture ： 54.6±12.3 %

Bottom culture ： 86.8±3.5 %

fouling organism

suspended

bottom

1. New system for bottom cultureInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Parameters Values

Side length per unit 1mTotal length 20-30mMesh 1-3cmWater depth 5-30m

New system for bottom cultureInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Form a local seaweed bed

Reasonable scallop density: 300ind/unit （ Shell Height: 3cm ）Sea cucumber density can reach 16 ind/ m2

Sea urchin density can reach 6 ind/ m2

New system for bottom cultureInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2. Facility for co-culture of sea cucmber and shellfish

Realize the ecological breeding mode of mutual benefit for sea cucumber and shellfish. The growth rate of A. japonicus reached 0.34% / day. The feeding capacity of A. japonicus on shellfish biological sediment reached 159.6 kg/ha.

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The advancement of cultural facilities

Name Previous condition Present condition Patents

Oyster shell reef

A. japonicus can't live on muddy bottoms. 10-20/m2

ZL200910017420.XZL201010113501.2

Shellfish feces reuse device

The feces fall onto the seabed directly.

The feces can be taken in by A. japonicus. (159.6kg hm-1d-1)

ZL200410020967.2

Seaweed culture facility in open sea area

Gracilaria lemaneiformis can't be cultivated in offshore.

The quantity of Gracilaria lemaneiformis raise to 1.8kg/m2 in 2 months.

ZL200910018386.8

New system for bottom culture

The density of A. japonicus is 1-2 ind/m2 on semi-sandy bottoms in offshore.

10-16 ind/m2 ZL200710162550.3

Multi-layer, plate-type reef

The density of A. japonicus in cofferdam is 7-8 ind/m2

30-42 ind/m2 ZL0810249530.4

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Contents

New artificial reefs & facilities2

Look into the future4

Introduction31

Integrated utilization33

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

1. Mariculture and stock enhancement in the cofferdams

Reef types ： Oyster shell reef 、 Integrated three-floor artificial reef 、 rockSize and amount ： 10-40 ind/500g, or 200 ind/500g, 7.5 ind/m2 to 15 ind/m2.Season ： Spring ang autumn, April, May, OctoberWater temprature: 8-12℃

Mariculture Ecology & Environment Remediation Group

2. Co-culture of macroalgae-abalone-sea cucumber in bays

Mariculture Ecology & Environment Remediation Group

Constructed habitat: Structure the artificial reef and protect the seaweed

bed

Species : macroalgae, abalone, A. japonicus, and fish

Result: primary producer(phytoplankton, macroalgae), primary

consumer(abalone), sedimentary trophic consumers(A. japonicus), and

swimming fish(Sebastes schlegeli and Lateolabrax japonicus).

3. Co-culture of sea grass-shellfish-sea cucumber in the lagoon

Constructed habitat: The seaweed bed

Species: Zostera marina, shellfish, A. japonicus, and fish

Result: primary producer(phytoplankton, seaweed, algae), primary

consumer(Ruditapes philippinarum), sedimentary trophic consumers(A.

japonicus), and swimming fish(Sebastes schlegeli and Lateolabrax

japonicus).

Mariculture Ecology & Environment Remediation Group

4. Polyculture mode at island areas

Island

The 12m isobath

Near island:seaweed cultivation to elevate primary production; A. Japonicus culture; juvenile wild fish recruitment

Off island: Deploy artificial reefs (ships, concrete); adult wild fish recruitment

Mariculture Ecology & Environment Remediation Group

The reserve for commercial fishes

The breeding ground for A. japonicus

Fish feeding and nursing ground

The reserve for commercial fishes

Contents

New artificial reefs & facilities2

Look into the future4

Introduction31

Integrated utilization33

Look into the future

Develop effective mariculture & stock enhancement facilities and techniques for sea cucumber.

Monitor and evaluate the bioremediation ability of key species in coastal area and the bioremediation effect of specific mode or facility.

Research habitat and resource restoration and the effect evaluation technology of bay or shallow sea.

Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

China-US Living Marine Resources CooperationInstitute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Thanks ！