Aquaculture of the chocolate chip sea cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus, in Yucatán, Mexico: Progress and challenges

The chocolate chip sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus is a tropical holothuroid from the western Atlantic Ocean with high market demand, which has resulted in heavy fishing pressure throughout its distribution range over the last decade, stimulating research on sustainable aquaculture production. This chapter describes advances in the farming of I. badionotus based on works at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in Yucatán Mexico. Broodstock management, spawning methods, and larval rearing/juvenile production protocols are described. Some of the more frequent diseases observed in cultures of larvae, juveniles, and adults are discussed, along with its future aquaculture potential.