• 수산해양기술연구
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.49-59
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth rate and the optimal stocking density of sea cucumbers. Grow-out was studied in situ by conducting a follow-up survey using visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags. The rearing systems were made of polypropylene pipe for the frames and netting. The experiment ran for 70 days near Yeosu, Korea in the water depth of about 7 m. A total of 576 sea cucumbers which have three groups of body sizes (small: 5.15, medium: 12.34 and large: 23.26 g) were used. The five groups of stocking densities (150, 300, 450, 600 and $850g/m^2$) in rearing system for sea cucumber were considered. Sea cucumbers were fed a mixed diet (mud, mineral, fish meal, etc.). The feed was supplied to 10% of their body wet weight once every 7 days. The survival rate (73%) of sea cucumber in $850g/m^2$ was lower than those of other density groups ($150g/m^2$: 89%, $300g/m^2$: 84%, $450g/m^2$: 78% and $600g/m^2$: 86%). The survival rate of medium size group was higher than those of small and large groups regardless of the density (P<0.05). Most of density groups have no significant difference except for $850g/m^2$ (P>0.05). The growth rate of small size group ($0.63%day^{-1}$) was higher than those of medium ($0.38%day^{-1}$) and large ($0.34%day^{-1}$) group regardless of the density (P<0.05). The threshold water temperature was $11.0^{\circ}C$ for sea cucumber growth in winter season.