Sea cucumber health and biosecurity for aquaculture development.

Australian sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra) production is in its infancy. This two-year pilot study comprises of three components with an aim to assist the scale of commercial production in Australia. Hatchery health will be examined with an aim to create a structured approach to monitoring and enhancing the health of broodstocks and young animals, with a hatchery guide to be developed. Ranching health will be analysed to create a simple protocol for routine health monitoring of animals, and biosecurity risk mapping will occur to develop a risk assessment report to inform mitigation options for identified contaminant risk as well as being a tool for selecting new ranching sites.