The Polynesian sea cucumber farming project aims to develop an inclusive industry that offers a sustainable alternative to lagoon fishing, supporting the conservation of lagoons. It will focus on the lagoons of Tupai and Tahiti. This project addresses the need to protect sea cucumbers, particularly Holothuria fuscogilva and Holothuria whitmaei, which were listed under CITES in 2020 due to overfishing. The goal is to offer an alternative model to poaching in the Pacific by making this sustainable industry viable. In Tupai, the project aims to enhance the lagoon through sea cucumber farming. In Tahiti, farms are being developed in rahui zones, where a future fishermen’s cooperative will be trained. It proposes an innovative aquaculture model and examines the ecological benefits of this extensive farming. Experiments in Tupai and Tahiti will assess the impact of sea cucumber farming on the ecosystem (hydrology, sediments, micro- and macro-biodiversity, particularly coral development). This project represents an opportunity for lagoon conservation and sea cucumber protection in French Polynesia.
Duration: 31 months
