The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office here and its partners released on Monday some 3,000 hatchery-bred sea cucumber juveniles in the coastal waters of Liloan, Southern Leyte.
The sea cucumber juveniles, produced at the BFAR–Guiuan Marine Fisheries Development Center (GMFDC) in Eastern Samar, were placed in four 1×1-meter nursery cages at Tagbak Marine Park in Tabugon village in Liloan town.
The specimens will be monitored monthly and are expected to reach marketable size —about 100 grams— by October 2026, BFAR Southern Leyte provincial fisheries officer Rowvic Docena said.
The project is in partnership with the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)–Bontoc Campus, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office, and the local government unit (LGU) of Liloan.
Docena said during the event that the release of sea cucumber juveniles underscores the bureau’s commitment to advancing science-based and sustainable fisheries management.
“BFAR-8 remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that promote responsible fisheries development. We value our collaboration with SLSU, DOST, and LGU Liloan in advancing sustainable aquaculture and protecting our marine ecosystems,” Docena said.
The sea cucumber release forms part of the project “Enhancing Community-Based Sea Cucumber Ranching for Sustainable Development,” which aims to restore declining sea cucumber populations, ease fishing pressure on wild stocks, and create alternative livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
With Liloan’s favorable water quality and strong community participation, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for sustainable aquaculture and coastal resource management in Eastern Visayas.
The sea cucumber has an elongated body with leathery skin whose color ranges from gray to black. It grows on seagrass beds and in sandy or muddy bottoms.
According to BFAR, dried sea cucumbers are being exported to Asian countries for their pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and culinary uses.
The price of dried sea cucumber ranges from PHP300 to PHP1,200 per kilogram. (PNA)