Al-Yaqout Amani, Nithyanandan Manickam, Al-Yamani Faiza, Al-Kandari Mohammad, Al-Roumi Musaad, Al-Baz Ali
Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 1638, Salmiya 22017, Kuwait.
Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Nov;28(11):6116-6126. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.001. Epub 2021 Oct 6.
Sea cucumbers are benthic marine invertebrates with immense ecological and commercial value. Processed sea cucumbers known as "" are a delicacy in southeast Asian countries with an ever-increasing demand depleting wild stocks on a global scale. Aquaculture techniques are well developed for commercially important species (e.g. ) to aid in conservation and trade. In the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, where the major land mass is surrounded by marginal seas (Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea), studies on sea cucumbers are rather limited and its economic value is underestimated. Historical and current research trends indicate impoverished diversity (82 species) due to environmental extremes. Artisanal fisheries exist for the sea cucumbers of Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, with Yemen and United Arab Emirates (UAE) playing a key role in collection and export to Asian countries. Stock assessment and data on export indicates depletion of natural stocks in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Aquaculture trials of high value species (. ) were successful in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran with prospects for further expansion. Research on ecotoxicological properties and bioactive substances conducted in Iran demonstrates an immense research potential. Molecular phylogeny, biology, use in bioremediation, and characterisation of bioactive compounds were identified as potential gaps in research. Expanding aquaculture operations could revive exports and recuperate damaged stocks through sea ranching. Furthermore, regional cooperation, networking, training, and capacity building could help fill the gaps in sea cucumber research, which will aid in its effective conservation and management.
海参是具有巨大生态和商业价值的底栖海洋无脊椎动物。被称为“”的加工海参在东南亚国家是一种美味佳肴，全球范围内不断增长的需求导致野生种群枯竭。对于具有重要商业价值的物种（如），水产养殖技术已经得到很好的发展，以促进保护和贸易。在阿拉伯半岛和伊朗，主要陆地被边缘海（阿拉伯湾、阿曼湾、阿拉伯海、亚丁湾和红海）环绕，对海参的研究相当有限，其经济价值被低估。历史和当前的研究趋势表明，由于极端环境，物种多样性匮乏（82种）。伊朗、阿曼和沙特阿拉伯存在海参手工渔业，也门和阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）在收集和出口到亚洲国家方面发挥着关键作用。种群评估和出口数据表明，沙特阿拉伯和阿曼的天然种群已经枯竭。沙特阿拉伯、阿曼和伊朗对高价值物种（. ）的水产养殖试验取得成功，并有进一步扩大的前景。伊朗开展的生态毒理学特性和生物活性物质研究显示出巨大的研究潜力。分子系统发育、生物学、生物修复中的应用以及生物活性化合物的表征被确定为研究中的潜在空白。扩大水产养殖业务可以通过海洋牧场恢复出口并恢复受损种群。此外，区域合作、网络建设、培训和能力建设有助于填补海参研究的空白，这将有助于对其进行有效的保护和管理。
