Can sea cucumbers help remove excess organic waste at salmon farms

What is it about?

This paper explores the potential of the sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) to consume and absorb excess organic waste from salmon farms, which in turn would help reduce the overall impact of the farm to the environment. Sea cucumbers were fed a variety of diets in the laboratory and in the field to determine how well they can consume and absorb a range of organic material.

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Why is it important?

If sea cucumbers can effectively absorb organic waste from finfish farms, then they will have the potential to help reduce the environmental impact (organic loading) from aquaculture sites to the natural environment.