Opened in February 2024 at the Providence Fishing Port, the Containerised Echinoderm Hatchery is a specialized facility funded by SWIOFish3 to support echinoderm aquaculture in Seychelles. Echinoderms, the term used to describe species such as sea urchin and sea cucumbers are in great demand globally.
This hatchery is the first of its kind locally, designed specifically for the production of sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) and sea cucumber juveniles. This facility has the potential to produce 100 000 juvenile sea cucumbers and sea urchins annually. Sea urchins and sea cucumbers are fertilized and raised from the larval stage to juvenile stage in this hatchery before being transferred to larger areas for grow out phase until harvest.
The facility consists of three distinct containers, each serving a crucial role in the hatchery process:
- The Water Processing Container ensures pristine water quality through a series of filtration stages, including UV sterilization and temperature control.
- The Microalgae Production Container cultivates algae. Microalgae cultivation is fundamental, as it is the sole source of feed for the echinoderm larvae. This container is equipped with specialized incubators for maintaining pure monocultures.
- The Larval Production Unit stands as the pivotal core of the echinoderm hatchery, playing a central role in the intricate and challenging process of producing sea urchin and cucumber larvae. This unit holds paramount importance due to the complexity of larval rearing, where the delicate balance of sterility, feeding precision, and environmental conditions must be meticulously maintained to ensure successful larval development.