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Sea cucumbers are echinoderms and are harvested from all around the world. Commercial dried sea cucumber is produced from fresh sea cucumber, after washing, their internal organs are removed, followed by boiling down, and drying process to preserve it.
Sea cucumbers are echinoderms and are harvested from all around the world. Commercial dried sea cucumber is produced from fresh sea cucumber, after washing, their internal organs are removed, followed by boiling down, and drying process to preserve it.
Sea cucumbers, which are known as jongoo bahari in Swahili, are considered an endangered species and have been protected in Tanzania since 2003. However, illegal fishing, collection and trading of sea cucumbers have created a critical conservation issue and a need to develop sustainable solutions to safeguard both the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of the country’s coastal communities.
Sea cucumber farming was initially promoted in 2019 by Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries as a key means for improving the country’s blue economy. This initiative led to the establishment of the first sandfish (Holothuria scabra) farm at Kaole village, in Bagamoyo District.
This farm, which includes its own hatchery, has proved a success story for sustainable sea cucumber farming and has established a model that other farmers can follow.
Tanzania’s southern coast comprises of two regions – Lindi and Mtwara – with 405 km of coastline. These regions were once marginalised due to the difficulties of crossing Rufiji River prior to the construction of a bridge in 2007. However, the area was famous for the production of seafood, including dried sea cucumbers, which are known as beche de mer. The most famous person in the sector was a trader named Abdillahi Yusuf who became one of the richest people in Tanzania in the late 1970s and 1980s through sea cucumber exports – a trade that was the main source of income for this community. However, following the trade ban in 2003 the community has been struggling economically, relying mainly on seasonal cashew nut farming and trading.
However, (FETA), from Mikindani Campus, introduced sea cucumber farming in the southern regions in May 2021. This government institution – which is responsible for training, research and dissemination of fisheries and aquaculture technologies – established a demonstration farm at Mikindani Beach, in Mtwara. This farm showcases a sandfish farming system that’s ideal for southern communities and serves as a training base.
The system is based around two 30 by 30 metre sea pens, constructed using affordable materials available in local hardware stores. It has since inspired 37 other sea cucumber farms to be developed – 30 in Mtwara and seven in Lindi – and beche de mer are now being sold at lucrative prices, ranging from $20 to $100 per kg (dry weight) at collection points in Zanzibar.
Sea cucumber farms were established in early 2022 at Mikindani, Msangamkuu and Naumbu-south, in Mtwara, after the reported success of the FETA farm. And some adventurous people then started sea cucumber farming initiatives at Mchinga, Kitumbi Kwera and Sudi villages in Lindi. Individuals from different educational and financial backgrounds are requesting farming permits, raising capital, constructing pens and stocking sandfish juveniles into their newly established farms.
