The Challenge

Artisan fishermen around the world continue to report diminishing productivity and income on an annual basis. They often live in remote areas not experiencing any benefits from global economic development. Part of their struggle is due to competition from larger fishing vessels and part is due to environmental changes and degradation. These communities are looking for hope and economic opportunity, but there are few models that offer increased economic opportunity that is sustainable, both in terms of income and preserving their natural environment. Any move toward more sustainable fishing practices must be accompanied by increased opportunity to provide for their families. 

A Solution

This business breeds a high value species of sea cucumber (Holothuria scabra) in a specialized hatchery located in a remote island community. It partners with local communities to grow the baby sea cucumbers to a marketable size, providing coaching and support in managing ocean pens, and then processes and sells full-grown sea cucumbers to distributors in markets in Indonesia and abroad, including Singapore, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong. 

Raising sea cucumbers is environmentally friendly because they feed on fish detritus and plankton and no input from local growers is required. Local growers protect the stock from predators and poachers. By working in concert with local individuals, cooperatives, and communities, the business provides jobs, training, and funding for community projects (through profit sharing agreements with communities that provide ocean space for pens). As more fishermen move from fishing to sustainable ocean farming, pressure on local fisheries declines and enforcing policies that protect marine ecosystems (like Marine Protected Areas) becomes possible. SCF works in partnership with local governments, the provincial fishery department, and local university marine science programs. 

Business Activities Geared Towards Providing Economic Growth, Responsible Production, and Utilizing and Protecting Life Below Water.

Target: Promote full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value (Adapted from Target 8.5) 

Target: Promote the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) 

Target: Increase the economic benefits to developing countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism (Adapted from Target 14.7)

Measured by

• Number of monthly hatcheries producing fingerlings

• Number of hectares engaged in sustainable mariculture

• Number of communities engaged in sustainable mariculture

• Number of full-time and part-time employees

• Number of independent growers (Added Q1 2024)

• Amount of sales from sea cucumber production

Sea Cucumber Farm seeks to bring life to coastal communities through innovation, sustainability, partnerships, and joy in mariculture. They assist communities of traditional fishermen to successfully farm seafood products, specifically, the sea cucumber.

What Does Your Donation Go Towards?

• New growth cages in new communities, enabling new partnerships

• New raceways to increase hatchery production capacity 

• New fingerlings bred in the hatchery - aiding the recovery of an endangered species 

• New jobs and revenue for artisanal fishermen