Bright prospects for sea cucumber industry in China

摘要

In China there are about 20 species of edible sea cucumbers or beche-de-mer that have long been considered as a traditional medicine and tonic food. Nutrient analyses show that either the body wall or the intestine of sea cucumber has a high nutrientvalue. The protein content of dried sea cucumber is more than 50% in most edible species, while glueosaminoglycan has been detected in sea cucumber providing evidence of the pharmaceutical value in sea cucumber. In order to meet the increasing demand andto protect the natural resources, it has been a high priority for fisheries authorities to develop seed production of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) and also to develop techniques for farming and ranching. Sea cucumber farming and ranching is a key part of the aquaculture sector in northern China, including the Liaoning and Shandong Provinces. Total landings from farming reached over 5 800 mt (dry weight) in 2002, which was either sold fresh, directly to restaurants or processed as dried product for edible and medicinal use. China has become the largest producer of sea cucumber in the world.